Role of the eaeA gene in experimental enteropathogenic Escherichia coli infection.

摘要: Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) infections are a leading cause of infant diarrhea in developing countries. Recently eaeA, gene necessary for the characteristic intimate attachment EPEC to epithelial cells tissue culture, was described. We conducted randomized, double-blind study determine role eaeA human infection. 11 adult volunteers ingested 2 x 10(10) colony-forming units O127:H6 strain E2348/69, and an equal number received same dose isogenic deletion mutant constructed from E2348/69. Volunteers were monitored development diarrhea, fever, systemic gastrointestinal complaints. Diarrhea developed all who E2348/69 4 (P = 0.002). Fever more common recipients wild-type 0.024). Stool volumes lower mutant. All seroconverted LPS, but geometric mean peak titers serum IgG IgA than those strain. against LPS detected jejunal fluid six 5/6 This unambiguously assigns as virulence gene, residual seen indicates that other factors involved.