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Shigella Serotypes Associated With Carriage in Humans Establish Persistent Infection in Zebrafish

Vincenzo Torraca1,2,3, Dominik Brokatzky1, Sydney L Miles1

  • 1Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.

The Journal of Infectious Diseases
|August 9, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Shigella bacteria can establish persistent infections in zebrafish, evading the immune system and becoming antibiotic tolerant. This persistence is linked to the O-antigen, crucial for Shigella serotypes common in men who have sex with men (MSM) infections.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology and Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Zebrafish Models in Research

Background:

  • Shigella, a group of enteroinvasive Escherichia coli, comprises over 40 serotypes.
  • Most infections in men who have sex with men (MSM) are linked to Shigella sonnei, Shigella flexneri 2a, and 3a.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate Shigella's ability to establish persistent infections in vivo.
  • To identify bacterial factors contributing to persistent Shigella infections.
  • To evaluate the zebrafish model for studying Shigella pathogenesis.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing the zebrafish model to study Shigella infection dynamics.
  • Assessing bacterial clearance, antibiotic tolerance, and immune response (macrophage death).
  • Analyzing the role of the O-antigen in persistent infection establishment.

Main Results:

  • Shigella establishes persistent, antibiotic-tolerant infections in zebrafish, evading immune clearance.
  • O-antigen, a serotype determinant, is essential for establishing persistent infection.
  • Shigella isolates linked to MSM transmission persisted in zebrafish, unlike other serotypes.
  • Persistent Shigella serotypes induced less macrophage death compared to non-persisting ones.

Conclusions:

  • The zebrafish model effectively illuminates factors underlying persistent Shigella infections.
  • The O-antigen plays a critical role in Shigella persistence and serotype-specific pathogenesis.
  • Understanding these mechanisms can inform strategies against Shigella infections, particularly in vulnerable populations.
Keywords:
Shigella flexneriShigella sonneiO-antigenpersistent infectionzebrafish

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