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Published on: June 11, 2009
Colonic structural and ion transport abnormalities in suckling rabbits infected with Escherichia coli K12
E V O'Loughlin1, L Zhe, A Buret
1Department of Gastroenterology, Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia.
Background:
Escherichia coli K12 is a laboratory strain considered nonpathogenic. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of E. coli K12 infection on colonic structure and function.
Methods:
Suckling rabbits were infected at 10 days of age with 6 x 10(9) CFU E. coli by intragastric inoculation and were examined 4 to 5 days later. Segments of ileum and proximal and distal colon were removed for light and electron microscopy, and NaCl transport was examined in vitro under short-circuited conditions in Ussing chambers.
Results:
Infection did not cause weight loss or diarrhea. Colonic mucosa was inflamed with infiltration by polymorphonuclear neutrophils mainly in the lamina propria. The proximal and distal colon exhibited reduced Na+ absorption. The proximal colon also showed increased Cl- secretion; the ileum was unaffected.
Conclusions:
Infection with E. coli K12 disrupts the epithelium and alters ion transport in the colon, probably as a result of mucosal inflammation. The changes indicate that nonpathogenic E. coli have the potential to cause intestinal disease.
