Immunofluorescence Confirmation of IBCs and Filaments in Urines from Women with Cystitis

<p>Urines from women with cystitis were stained with antibodies against E. coli (green) and uroplakin III (red). Confocal microscopy analysis revealed large collections of bacteria (A) and cells with partial membrane and cytoplasmic uroplakin staining (B). Merged images (C) show these bacteria to be intracellular. Filaments of the uropathogen over 20 μm in length were also observed in many of the urine samples (D and E). To quantify fluorescence, a slice was taken through the middle of an IBC (F) and fluorescent intensity was analyzed along a traversing line (arrow). A representative fluorescent intensity distribution profile (G) shows peaks of uroplakin (red) staining corresponding to the facet membrane and E. coli (green) staining localized intracellularly. Scale bars, 20 μm.