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A new biological agent for treatment of Shiga toxigenic Escherichia coli infections and dysentery in humans

Nature Medicine volume 6, pages 265–270 (2000)Cite this article

Abstract

Gastrointestinal disease caused by Shiga toxin-producing bacteria (such as Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Shigella dysenteriae) is often complicated by life-threatening toxin-induced systemic sequelae, including hemolytic–uremic syndrome. Such infections can now be diagnosed very early in the course of the disease, but at present no effective therapeutic intervention is possible. Here, we constructed a recombinant bacterium that displayed a Shiga toxin receptor mimic on its surface, and it adsorbed and neutralized Shiga toxins with very high efficiency. Moreover, oral administration of the recombinant bacterium completely protected mice from challenge with an otherwise 100%-fatal dose of Shiga toxigenic E. coli. Thus, the bacterium shows great promise as a ‘probiotic’ treatment for Shiga toxigenic E. coli infections and dysentery.

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Figure 1: Construction of pJCP-Gb3.
Figure 2: Proposed structure of the LPS of E. coli CWG308:pJCP-Gb3.
Figure 3: Total Stx adsorption/neutralization capacity of E. coli CWG308:pJCP-Gb3.
Figure 4: Immunofluorescent staining.
Figure 5: Survival of mice challenged with virulent STEC.

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Acknowledgements

The assistance of L. van den Bosch and E. Parker is acknowledged. This work was supported by grants from the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia, and the Channel Seven Children's Research Foundation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Molecular Microbiology Unit, Women's and Children's Hospital, North Adelaide, 5006, S.A., Australia

    Adrienne W. Paton & James C. Paton

  2. Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, 5005, S.A., Australia

    Renato Morona

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  1. Adrienne W. Paton
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Correspondence to James C. Paton.

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Paton, A., Morona, R. & Paton, J. A new biological agent for treatment of Shiga toxigenic Escherichia coli infections and dysentery in humans. Nat Med 6, 265–270 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1038/73111

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