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Enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis.

John Holton1

  • 1Centre for Infectious Diseases and International Health, Windeyer Institute of Medical Sciences, University College London, 46 Cleveland Street, London W1T 4JF, UK. john.holton@uclh.org

Current Infectious Disease Reports
|May 9, 2008
PubMed
Summary
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Bacteroides fragilis, a common gut anaerobe, causes disease via its capsule and fragilysin toxin. This toxin disrupts gut barrier function and promotes cell proliferation, potentially linking it to diarrhea, IBD, and colon cancer.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Bacteroides fragilis is a frequent anaerobic pathogen.
  • Its virulence factors include a capsule and the toxin fragilysin.
  • Enterotoxigenic B. fragilis is associated with specific clinical conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To detail the virulence mechanisms of Bacteroides fragilis.
  • To elucidate the role of fragilysin in epithelial disruption.
  • To explore the clinical implications of enterotoxigenic B. fragilis.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of virulence factors: capsule and fragilysin (a Zn-metalloprotease).
  • Investigation of fragilysin's mechanism on E-cadherin and epithelial cells.
  • Correlation of enterotoxigenic B. fragilis with clinical outcomes like secretory diarrhea.

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Main Results:

  • Fragilysin hydrolyzes extracellular E-cadherin, disrupting intercellular adhesion.
  • This leads to increased epithelial permeability, actin redistribution, and cell morphologic changes.
  • Beta-catenin release and nuclear translocation promote cellular proliferation.

Conclusions:

  • Enterotoxigenic B. fragilis is a significant cause of secretory diarrhea, especially in children.
  • Emerging evidence links this bacterium to inflammatory bowel disease and colon cancer.
  • Understanding B. fragilis virulence is crucial for managing associated diseases.