Serum immune response to carriage of toxigenic fecal bacteria with and without diarrhea

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Updated: Aug 7, 2026

Determination of Tolerable Fatty Acids and Cholera Toxin Concentrations Using Human Intestinal Epithelial Cells and BALB/c Mouse Macrophages
09:39

Determination of Tolerable Fatty Acids and Cholera Toxin Concentrations Using Human Intestinal Epithelial Cells and BALB/c Mouse Macrophages

Published on: May 30, 2013

A H Cushing

    Developments in Biological Standardization
    |January 1, 1983
    PubMed

    Insights

    Asymptomatic carriage of enterotoxigenic bacteria (ETB) is common in babies, but serum antibody responses are more frequent after diarrhea associated with bacterial toxins. This study explored the link between ETB, diarrhea, and immune responses in infants.

    Area of Science:

    • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
    • Microbiology
    • Immunology

    Background:

    • The interplay between asymptomatic fecal carriage of enterotoxigenic bacteria (ETB), infant diarrhea, and serum immune responses remains under-explored.
    • Enterotoxigenic bacteria can cause significant gastrointestinal illness in young children.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To systematically investigate the relationship between asymptomatic fecal carriage of ETB, diarrhea, and serum immune responses in infants aged 0-2 years.
    • To identify specific ETB and toxins associated with illness and subsequent immune reactions.

    Main Methods:

    • Weekly collection of health histories and fecal samples from 40 infants.
    • Serum samples collected every six months for antibody response analysis.
    • Identification of toxigenic bacteria and fecal toxins using ELISA and Y-1 cell assay.
    • Quantification of serum antitoxin via ELISA and toxin neutralization assays.

    Main Results:

    • 38 infants carried fecal ETB, with toxigenic E. coli (ETEC) being the most common (36 infants).
    • 20 infants experienced 36 episodes of diarrhea within a week of ETB isolation or toxin detection.
    • Antibody responses were observed in 53% of toxin-related diarrhea episodes.
    • Serum antibody responses were significantly more common after episodes involving both toxin and diarrhea.

    Conclusions:

    • Asymptomatic carriage of enterobacteria producing cholera toxin-like substances is prevalent in infants.
    • Diarrhea associated with ETB and their toxins triggers a more significant serum antibody response compared to asymptomatic carriage alone.

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