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Author Spotlight: Advancements in Understanding and Combatting Shigella Infections
Published on: February 9, 2024
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A Shigella species variant is causally linked to intractable functional constipation
Xin Chen1,2,3, Tian-Tian Qiu1, Ye Wang1,3
1State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and.
The Journal of Clinical Investigation
|May 26, 2022
Summary
A novel Shigella species, termed peristaltic contraction-inhibiting bacterium (PIB), causes intractable functional constipation (IFC) by producing docosapentenoic acid (DPA). PIB and elevated DPA levels are key diagnostic markers for IFC.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Microbiology
- Pathogen Discovery
Background:
- Intractable functional constipation (IFC) is a severe form of constipation with an unknown cause.
- Previous research has not identified the specific etiology of IFC.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the hypothesis that IFC results from infection by a pathogenic bacterium.
- To identify the causative agent and mechanism behind IFC.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and identification of bacteria from IFC patients.
- In vitro and in vivo studies using bacterial isolates and animal models.
- Analysis of bacterial metabolites, specifically docosapentenoic acid (DPA).
- Detection of bacteria and DPA in patient stool samples.
Main Results:
- A Shigella species, named peristaltic contraction-inhibiting bacterium (PIB), was isolated from IFC patients.
- PIB inhibited colonic peristalsis via DPA production, inducing constipation in mice.
- PIB-specific phages reversed constipation.
- PIB was detected in 56% of IFC patients but not in controls.
- Elevated DPA levels were found in 44.12% of IFC patients but not in controls.
Conclusions:
- Shigella sp. PIB is identified as a critical causative pathogen for IFC.
- Fecal PIB and DPA detection offers a reliable diagnostic method for IFC.
- This discovery opens new avenues for understanding and classifying constipation.
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