Scientists at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, have shown how the O157:H7 strain of Escherichia coli causes infection and thrives by manipulating the host immune response. The bacterium secretes a protein called NleH1 that directs the host immune enzyme IKK-beta to alter specific immune responses. This process not only helps the bacterium evade elimination by the immune system, it also works to prolong the survival of the infected host, enabling the bacterium to persist and ultimately spread to unaffected individuals. This finely balanced mechanism, observed in both laboratory and animal models, could be relevant to other pathogens involved in foodborne diseases.
While most E. coli strains help check the growth of harmful bacteria in the guts of animals and humans, a few E. coli strains, such as O157:H7, can cause severe diarrhea, abdominal cramps and, in rare cases, death. Human cases of E. coli O157:H7 have been linked to consumption of raw, undercooked, or spoiled meat.
NIAID researchers plan to use the new information to further study how the host immune system mounts a response to E. coli O157:H7 when infection begins and how the bacterium selectively blocks these defenses. Several foodborne pathogens, including Shigella and Salmonella, use a similar secretion system to disrupt host immune responses and infect gut cells.
ARTICLE:
F Wan, et al. IKK-beta phosphorylation regulates RPS3 nuclear translocation and NF-kappa B function during infection with Escherichia coli strain O157:H7. Nature Immunology. DOI 10.1038/ni.2007
Michael Lenardo, M.D., Chief of the Molecular Development Section of the NIAID Laboratory of Immunology, is available to comment on this article.
To schedule interviews, please contact the NIAID Ofice of Communications at 301-402-1663 or [email protected].
NIAID conducts and supports research — at NIH, throughout the United States, and worldwide — to study the causes of infectious and immune-mediated diseases, and to develop better means of preventing, diagnosing and treating these illnesses. News releases, fact sheets and other NIAID-related materials are available on the NIAID Web site at http://www.niaid.nih.gov.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) — The Nation’s Medical Research Agency — includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is the primary federal agency for conducting and supporting basic, clinical and translational medical research, and it investigates the causes, treatments and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit http://www.nih.gov.
They are looking in the wrong place.
It is spreading from person to person from a minor outbreak a year ago in Western Germany. Vectors are Personal contact, private homes and resteurants.
I know because I got an E. Coli infection last year in Essen (Western Germany) and it nearly Killed me and I mean I was thinking that any moment I was going to die right there on the Autobahn doubled over in a culvert! Most likely this is the same strain and has been spreading slowly since a year ago.
2 others from the same Hostel got it too. I suspect it is from the transfer of the bacteria from person to person from the hands to the food or through romantic/sexual contact. Thats the reason they cant find the source. This is spreading like a virus and not the way E. Coli usually spreads.
If you get this you need to overdose on active Yogurt culture and Cooked Cabbage….and I mean OVERDOSE! Eat it till you think you cant stand it and then eat some more! That will kill it.
If it isnt cooked, DONT EAT IT!
Your Obt Svt.
Col. Korn,
OXOjamm Studios.
Thank you very good and a healthy writing. I’ll definitely keep track of posts and the occasional visit. Looking forward to reading your next submit.Nike Shocks