Segmented Filamentous Bacteria Prevent Colonization of Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli O103 in Rabbits

Despite their distribution in the intestines of many mammals, including man, segmented filamentous bacteria (SFB) have not been found in rabbits, nor has any function been identified for these uncultivable microbes. New Zealand White rabbits were infected with rabbit enteropathogenic Escherichia col...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of infectious diseases 2000-03, Vol.181 (3), p.1027-1033
Main Authors: Heczko, Ursula, Abe, Akio, Brett Finlay, B.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Bacteria
Bacteria - cytology
Bacteria - isolation & purification
Bacteria - ultrastructure
Bacterial colonization
Escherichia coli
Escherichia coli - physiology
Female
Humans
Ileum
Infections
Intestines - microbiology
Major Articles
Mice
Microbial colonization
Pathogens
Rabbits
Species Specificity
Villi
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Summary:Despite their distribution in the intestines of many mammals, including man, segmented filamentous bacteria (SFB) have not been found in rabbits, nor has any function been identified for these uncultivable microbes. New Zealand White rabbits were infected with rabbit enteropathogenic Escherichia coli O103 (REPEC O103) derivatives, followed up clinically, and randomly killed 1–4 days after inoculation. Intestinal tissue samples were examined by electron and light microscopy to search for SFB and to evaluate REPEC O103 colonization. Twelve of 21 rabbits showed SFB colonization on ileal absorptive villi. The presence of SFB was correlated with lack of REPEC 0103 ileal colonization (P < .01) and disease. Rabbits without SFB were always colonized by this pathogen. SFB appear to inhibit intestinal colonization by REPEC O103 and thus protect against REPEC 0103 disease. SFB colonization in rabbits is also described for the first time.
ISSN:0022-1899
1537-6613
DOI:10.1086/315348