Abstract: A method for determining susceptibility to E. coli urinary tract infection comprising assaying a sample of epithelial cells for the presence or absence of at least one of sialosyl galactosyl-globoside, disialosyl galactosyl-globoside and an extended globo structure carrying the same terminal epitopes as sialosyl galactosyl-globoside or disialosyl galactosyl-globoside, or assaying a sample of vaginal secretions for the presence or absence of at least one of sialosyl galactosyl-globoside or disialosyl galactosyl-globoside, and detecting the presence or absence of the at least one of sialosyl galactosyl-globoside, disialosyl galactosyl-globoside and the extended globo structure, a medicament comprising a biologically effective amount of at least one E. coli bacterial receptor analogue and a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent, carrier or excipient as well as a method for preventing E. coli urinary tract infection comprising administering to a host a biologically effective amount of at least one E.