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Nature of interaction of different wild type Vibrio cholerae with intestinal mucosa
Abstract:
Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used in this study to investigate the mechanism of association of cholera vibrios with the intestinal mucosa. For this purpose, the interactions of three virulent, wild type strains (CA401, P, and 3083) of Vibrio cholerae with intestinal segments of infant mice were compared. The results of previous studies by different investigators using the three strains separately and in different assay systems had led to differing conclusions concerning the mechanisms of association with the mucosa. In this study, observations by SEM of the infant mouse intestinal segments, previously incubated in suspensions of the organisms, revealed that all three strains preferentially associated with intestinal mucin. The vibrios associated poorly with the mucosal epithelial surface even in areas of the segments free of mucin or in segments washed to remove mucin prior to the assay. In each case, the vibrios associated better with the serosal surface than with the epithelial surface of the mucosa, but not to the degree that they associated with mucin on the mucosal surface. The major difference observed by SEM of the strains was the markedly greater association of strain 3083 with the serosal surface as compared to strains CA401 and P.
Insights
This study used scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to show that Vibrio cholerae cholera vibrios primarily attach to intestinal mucin, not the epithelial surface. Strain 3083 showed greater attachment to the serosal surface compared to other strains.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Gastroenterology
- Microscopy
Background:
- Understanding Vibrio cholerae (V. cholerae) interaction with the intestinal mucosa is crucial for cholera pathogenesis.
- Previous studies yielded conflicting results on V. cholerae association mechanisms with the intestinal lining.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare the association mechanisms of three virulent Vibrio cholerae strains with infant mouse intestinal mucosa using SEM.
- To clarify discrepancies in previous findings regarding V. cholerae-mucosa interactions.
Main Methods:
- Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed to visualize the interactions.
- Infant mouse intestinal segments were incubated with three wild-type V. cholerae strains (CA401, P, 3083).
- Segments were examined for vibrio attachment patterns to mucin, epithelial, and serosal surfaces.
Main Results:
- All three V. cholerae strains preferentially associated with intestinal mucin.
- Vibrio association with the mucosal epithelial surface was poor, even after mucin removal.
- Vibrios showed higher association with the serosal surface than the epithelial surface, but less than with mucin.
- Strain 3083 exhibited significantly greater serosal surface association compared to strains CA401 and P.
Conclusions:
- Intestinal mucin is the primary attachment site for these virulent V. cholerae strains.
- The findings highlight strain-specific differences in Vibrio cholerae adherence, particularly concerning the serosal surface.
- SEM provides valuable insights into the micro-environmental interactions governing V. cholerae colonization.