KRT1 and infection: 2002; Watt et al. 2003). Also, E. coli strains isolated from the intestinal microflora of asymptomatic pregnant women often possess the capsular K1 antigen (Watt et al. 2003). The transmission of E. coli strains from the mother to the newborn frequently occurs during passage of the neonate through the vaginal canal. Thus, programmes to screen for vaginal and rectal colonization of pregnant women by E. coli, particularly those with the K1 antigen, may be effective for infection prevention.