Characterization of Bacillus Probiotics Available for Human Use

Bacillus species (Bacillus cereus, Bacillus clausii, Bacillus pumilus) carried in five commercial probiotic products consisting of bacterial spores were characterized for potential attributes (colonization, immunostimulation, and antimicrobial activity) that could account for their claimed probiotic properties. Three B. cereus strains were shown to persist in the mouse gastrointestinal tract for up to 18 days postadministration, demonstrating that these organisms have some ability to colonize. Spores of one B. cereus strain were extremely sensitive to simulated gastric conditions and simulated intestinal fluids. Spores of all strains were immunogenic when they were given orally to mice, but the B. pumilus strain was found to generate particularly high anti-spore immunoglobulin G titers. Spores of B. pumilus and of a laboratory strain of B. subtilis were found to induce the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 in a cultured macrophage cell line, and in vivo, spores of B. pumilus and B. subtilis induced the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha and the Th1 cytokine gamma interferon. The B. pumilus strain and one B. cereus strain (B. cereus var. vietnami) were found to produce a bacteriocin-like activity against other Bacillus species. The results that provided evidence of colonization, immunostimulation, and antimicrobial activity support the hypothesis that the organisms have a potential probiotic effect. However, the three B. cereus strains were also found to produce the Hbl and Nhe enterotoxins, which makes them unsafe for human use.     

Like Will to Like: Abundances of Closely Related Species Can Predict Susceptibility to Intestinal Colonization by Pathogenic and Commensal Bacteria

The intestinal ecosystem is formed by a complex, yet highly characteristic microbial community. The parameters defining whether this community permits invasion of a new bacterial species are unclear. In particular, inhibition of enteropathogen infection by the gut microbiota ( = colonization resistance) is poorly understood. To analyze the mechanisms of microbiota-mediated protection from Salmonella enterica induced enterocolitis, we used a mouse infection model and large scale high-throughput pyrosequencing. In contrast to conventional mice (CON), mice with a gut microbiota of low complexity (LCM) were highly susceptible to S. enterica induced colonization and enterocolitis. Colonization resistance was partially restored in LCM-animals by co-housing with conventional mice for 21 days (LCM^con21). 16S rRNA sequence analysis comparing LCM, LCM^con21 and CON gut microbiota revealed that gut microbiota complexity increased upon conventionalization and correlated with increased resistance to S. enterica infection. Comparative microbiota analysis of mice with varying degrees of colonization resistance allowed us to identify intestinal ecosystem characteristics associated with susceptibility to S. enterica infection. Moreover, this system enabled us to gain further insights into the general principles of gut ecosystem invasion by non-pathogenic, commensal bacteria. Mice harboring high commensal E. coli densities were more susceptible to S. enterica induced gut inflammation. Similarly, mice with high titers of Lactobacilli were more efficiently colonized by a commensal Lactobacillus reuteri ^RR strain after oral inoculation. Upon examination of 16S rRNA sequence data from 9 CON mice we found that closely related phylotypes generally display significantly correlated abundances (co-occurrence), more so than distantly related phylotypes. Thus, in essence, the presence of closely related species can increase the chance of invasion of newly incoming species into the gut ecosystem. We provide evidence that this principle might be of general validity for invasion of bacteria in preformed gut ecosystems. This might be of relevance for human enteropathogen infections as well as therapeutic use of probiotic commensal bacteria.     

Rapid Characterization of Spores of Bacillus cereus Group Bacteria by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry

Matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization (MALDI) time-of-flight mass spectrometry was used to characterize the spores of 14 microorganisms of the Bacillus cereus group. This group includes the four Bacillus species B. anthracis, B. cereus, B. mycoides, and B. thuringiensis. MALDI mass spectra obtained from whole bacterial spores showed many similarities between the species, except for B. mycoides. At the same time, unique mass spectra could be obtained for the different B. cereus and B. thuringiensis strains, allowing for differentiation at the strain level. To increase the number of detectable biomarkers in the usually peak-poor MALDI spectra of spores, the spores were treated by corona plasma discharge (CPD) or sonicated prior to MALDI analysis. Spectra of sonicated or CPD-treated spores displayed an ensemble of biomarkers common for B. cereus group bacteria. Based on the spectra available, these biomarkers differentiate B. cereus group spores from those of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus globigii. The effect of growth medium on MALDI spectra of spores was also explored.     

Detoxification of enterotoxigenic Bacillus cereus (JX455159) isolated from meat by a local strain of Lactobacillus plantarum (JX282192)

Raw minced meat samples (25) were randomly collected from different slaughterhouses in Dakhlia and Sharkyia Governorates, Egypt. One hundred and fifty Bacillus species related to the cereus group were isolated from the collected meat samples using Mannitol Yolk Polymyxin (MYP) agar plates. Purified bacterial cultures were then tested for their virulence factors with respect to hemolysin, protease and lecithinase. Of the tested Bacillus strains (150), 81, 95.3 and 76 % of total tested Bacillus strains were positive for hemolysin, protease and lecithinase tests, respectively. The identity of one of the most potent strains suspected and encoded as Bacillus cereus F23 was confirmed by amplifying its 16S rRNA gene. The partial nucleotide sequence of the amplified 16S rRNA gene of the tested strain was submitted to GenBank with accession number JX455159. Multiplex PCR amplification of enterotoxin genes in the tested strain, using specific primers, yielded amplicons of molecular sizes 695 and 565 bp for enterotoxins hblC and cytK, respectively. Thermal resistance of B. cereus F23 (JX455159) spores was determined by calculating D values at 65, 75, 85 and 95 °C for 36, 25, 19 and 16 min, respectively, and the calculated Z value was recorded as 0.119 °C. A lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strain isolated from pickles was preliminary identified as Lactobacillus plantarum F14 (LBF14) and later confirmed by detecting its 16S rRNA gene, and it was submitted to GenBank with accession number JX282192. The identified LAB strain was tested as a bioprotective agent against toxigenic B. cereus F23 spores both in minced meat samples and BHI broth medium. A reduction in B. cereus F23 population between 4 and 6 log cycles under different tested conditions was recorded. The activity of virulence factors (protease and lecithinase) decreased and hemolytic activity was completely inhibited in the presence of 10³ CFU/ml of Lactobacillus plantarum F14 (JX282192). Inthe presence of 10⁵ CFU/ml Lactobacillus plantarum F14 (JX282192), protease and lecithinase activities of B. cereus F23 were decreased by 85 and 71 %, respectively.     

Purification of a thermostable chitinase from Bacillus cereus by chitin affinity and its application in microbial community changes in soil

A thermostable chitinase was purified by chitin affinity from the culture supernatant of Bacillus cereus TKU028 with shrimp head powder (SHP) as the sole carbon/nitrogen source. TKU028 chitinase was purified using a one-step affinity adsorbent system, and the molecular mass of TKU028 chitinase (approximately 40 kDa) was then determined using SDS-PAGE. The enzyme was stable for 60 min at temperatures below 60 °C and stable over a broad pH range of 4–9 for 60 min. In addition, the temporal changes of a bacterial community in mangrove river sediment of the Tamsui River with added SHP were also analysed by PCR–denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis to investigate the effects of B. cereus TKU028 on the degradation of SHP. The 6-week incubation sample of SHP and B. cereus TKU028-amended mangrove river sediment displayed the highest amount of biomass, reducing sugar and total sugar, and some variance of bacterial community composition existed in the soils.     

Bacterial Community Structure in Two Permafrost Wetlands on the Tibetan Plateau and Sanjiang Plain,China

Permafrost wetlands are important methane emission sources and fragile ecosystems sensitive to climate change. Presently, there remains a lack of knowledge regarding bacterial communities, especially methanotrophs in vast areas of permafrost on the Tibetan Plateau in Northwest China and the Sanjiang Plain (SJ) in Northeast China. In this study, 16S rRNA-based quantitative PCR (qPCR) and 454 pyrosequencing were used to identify bacterial communities in soils sampled from a littoral wetland of Lake Namco on the Tibetan Plateau (NMC) and an alluvial wetland on the SJ. Additionally, methanotroph-specific primers targeting particulate methane monooxygenase subunit A gene (pmoA) were used for qPCR and pyrosequencing analysis of methanotrophic community structure in NMC soils. qPCR analysis revealed the presence of 10¹⁰ 16S rRNA gene copies per gram of wet soil in both wetlands, with 10⁸ pmoA copies per gram of wet soil in NMC. The two permafrost wetlands showed similar bacterial community compositions, which differed from those reported in other cold environments. Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria , and Chloroflexi were the most abundant phyla in both wetlands, whereas Acidobacteria was prevalent in the acidic wetland SJ only. These four phyla constituted more than 80 % of total bacterial community diversity in permafrost wetland soils, and Methylobacter of type I methanotrophs was overwhelmingly dominant in NMC soils. This study is the first major bacterial sequencing effort of permafrost in the NMC and SJ wetlands, which provides fundamental data for further studies of microbial function in extreme ecosystems under climate change scenarios.     

Some growth peculiarities and membrane characteristics of probiotic strains of Escherichia coli

It is found that the probiotic strains of Escherichia coli, G35 N 59 isolated from “Okarin” and from “ASAP” drug formulas, and the commensal strain 5–1 isolated from healthy human intestine, manifest higher specific growth rates, lower acidifying capacity during glucose fermentation in the external medium, and lower rates of decrease in redox potential in comparison with the wild-type strain (MC4100). At the same time, despite similar values of their membrane potentials, these bacteria differ essentially in total and N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide-sensitive rates of energy-dependent transmembrane H⁺ and K⁺ transport and display a low level of H₂ production. It is suggested that the difference between their membrane characteristics reflects changes in the activity of proton-translocating F₀F₁-ATPase and is crucial for bacterial growth and probiotic activity of E. coli.     

Conjugal transfer between Bacillus thuringiensis and Bacillus cereus strains is not directly correlated with growth of recipient strains

Bacillus thuringiensis and Bacillus cereus belong to the B. cereus species group. The two species share substantial chromosomal similarity and differ mostly in their plasmid content. The phylogenetic relationship between these species remains a matter of debate. There is genetic exchange both within and between these species, and current evidence indicates that insects are a particularly suitable environment for the growth of and genetic exchange between these species. We investigated the conjugation efficiency of B. thuringiensis var. kurstaki KT0 (pHT73-Em^R) as a donor and a B. thuringiensis and several B. cereus strains as recipients; we used one-recipient and two-recipient conjugal transfer systems in vitro (broth and filter) and in Bombyx mori larvae, and assessed multiplication following conjugation between Bacillus strains. The B. thuringiensis KT0 strain did not show preference for genetic exchange with the B. thuringiensis recipient strain over that with the B. cereus recipient strains. However, B. thuringiensis strains germinated and multiplied more efficiently than B. cereus strains in insect larvae and only B. thuringiensis maintained complete spore germination for at least 24 h in B. mori larvae. These findings show that there is no positive association between bacterial multiplication efficiency and conjugation ability in infected insects for the used strains.     

Comparative morphological, ecological, and molecular studies of Aspergillus versicolor (Vuill.) tiraboschi strains isolated from different ecotopes

Cultural, morphological, ecological, and trophic properties (growth at different temperatures and on various organic substrates), as well as molecular and genetic peculiarities of Aspergillus versicolor (Vuill.) Tiraboschi strains of different origins, were determined. The strains were isolated from different ecotopes (upper horizons of modern soils of several geographic regions, ancient soils and peat, and permafrost). No essential distinctions in cultural and morphological properties were revealed between the strains. Strains obtained from peat of the Aleutian Islands were characterized by the highest radial rates of colony growth. Some variations in the ITS loci of rDNA were observed in strains isolated from different ecotopes; the distinctions were most pronounced (1.7%) in the strain isolated from 100 000-year-old permafrost.     

Concerted Action of Sphingomyelinase and Non-Hemolytic Enterotoxin in Pathogenic Bacillus cereus

Bacillus cereus causes food poisoning and serious non-gastrointestinal-tract infections. Non-hemolytic enterotoxin (Nhe), which is present in most B. cereus strains, is considered to be one of the main virulence factors. However, a B. cereus ΔnheBC mutant strain lacking Nhe is still cytotoxic to intestinal epithelial cells. In a screen for additional cytotoxic factors using an in vitro model for polarized colon epithelial cells we identified B. cereus sphingomyelinase (SMase) as a strong inducer of epithelial cell death. Using single and double deletion mutants of sph, the gene encoding for SMase, and nheBC in B. cereus we demonstrated that SMase is an important factor for B. cereus cytotoxicity in vitro and pathogenicity in vivo. SMase substantially complemented Nhe induced cytotoxicity in vitro. In addition, SMase but not Nhe contributed significantly to the mortality rate of larvae in vivo in the insect model Galleria mellonella. Our study suggests that the role of B. cereus SMase as a secreted virulence factor for in vivo pathogenesis has been underestimated and that Nhe and SMase complement each other significantly to cause full B. cereus virulence hence disease formation.     

Efficient inhibition of some multi-drug resistant pathogenic bacteria by bioactive metabolites from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus amyloliquefaciens</Emphasis> S<Subscript>5</Subscript>I<Subscript>4</Subscript> isolated from archaeological soil in Egypt

Sixty-eight bacterial cultures were isolated from 5 archaeological soils in Egypt. It is necessary to characterize bacteria from ancient temples to develop protection programs for such archaeological places. Purified bacterial cultures were then tested for their capability to inhibit some multi-drug resistant (MDR) pathogenic bacteria including Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Among the most active 10 antibacterial isolates, only one isolate designated as S₅I₄ was selected, characterized and identified as belonging to Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. The strain identification was confirmed by amplification of its 16S rRNA gene. The partial nucleotide sequence of the amplified 16S rRNA gene of the tested strain was submitted in GenBank with accession number AB813716. The physical and nutritional parameters were optimized to improve the production of antimicrobial agents by the B. amyloliquefaciens S₅I₄. The maximum antagonistic effect of this strain against the tested MDR pathogenic bacteria was achieved in presence of 1% galactose and 0.5% yeast extract at 37°C and pH 7.0 after 48 h incubation. The antibacterial compounds of B. amyloliquefaciens S₅I₄ were extracted, purified and characterized using spectroscopic analysis (IR, UV, proton NMR and MS). The compound having inhibitory activity was identified as butanedioic acid, octadecyl,1(1carboxy1methylethyl) 4octyl ester.     

Genetic Evidence for the Involvement of the S-Layer Protein Gene sap and the Sporulation Genes spo0A,spo0B,and spo0F in Phage AP50c Infection of Bacillus anthracis

In order to better characterize the Bacillus anthracis typing phage AP50c, we designed a genetic screen to identify its bacterial receptor. Insertions of the transposon mariner or targeted deletions of the structural gene for the S-layer protein Sap and the sporulation genes spo0A, spo0B, and spo0F in B. anthracis Sterne resulted in phage resistance with concomitant defects in phage adsorption and infectivity. Electron microscopy of bacteria incubated with AP50c revealed phage particles associated with the surface of bacilli of the Sterne strain but not with the surfaces of Δsap, Δspo0A, Δspo0B, or Δspo0F mutants. The amount of Sap in the S layer of each of the spo0 mutant strains was substantially reduced compared to that of the parent strain, and incubation of AP50c with purified recombinant Sap led to a substantial reduction in phage activity. Phylogenetic analysis based on whole-genome sequences of B. cereus sensu lato strains revealed several closely related B. cereus and B. thuringiensis strains that carry sap genes with very high similarities to the sap gene of B. anthracis. Complementation of the Δsap mutant in trans with the wild-type B. anthracis sap or the sap gene from either of two different B. cereus strains that are sensitive to AP50c infection restored phage sensitivity, and electron microscopy confirmed attachment of phage particles to the surface of each of the complemented strains. Based on these data, we postulate that Sap is involved in AP50c infectivity, most likely acting as the phage receptor, and that the spo0 genes may regulate synthesis of Sap and/or formation of the S layer.     

Characterization of Acetanilide Herbicides Degrading Bacteria Isolated from Tea Garden Soil

Three different green manures were added to the tea garden soils separately and incubated for 40 days. After, incubation, acetanilide herbicides alachlor and metolachlor were spiked into the soils, separately, followed by the isolation of bacteria in each soil at designed intervals. Several bacterial strains were isolated from the soils and identified as Bacillus silvestris, B. niacini, B. pseudomycoides, B. cereus, B. thuringiensis, B. simplex, B. megaterium, and two other Bacillus sp. (Met1 and Met2). Three unique strains with different morphologies were chosen for further investigation. They were B. megaterium, B. niacini, and B. silvestris. The isolated herbicide-degrading bacteria showed optimal performance among three incubation temperatures of 30°C and the best activity in the 10 to 50 μg/ml concentration of the herbicide. Each bacterial strain was able to degrade more than one kind of test herbicides. After incubation for 119 days, B. cereus showed the highest activity to degrade alachlor and propachlor, and B. thuringiensis to degrade metolachlor.     

Volatile emissions from thawing permafrost soils are influenced by meltwater drainage conditions

Vast amounts of carbon are bound in both active layer and permafrost soils in the Arctic. As a consequence of climate warming, the depth of the active layer is increasing in size and permafrost soils are thawing. We hypothesize that pulses of biogenic volatile organic compounds are released from the near‐surface active layer during spring, and during late summer season from thawing permafrost, while the subsequent biogeochemical processes occurring in thawed soils also lead to emissions. Biogenic volatile organic compounds are reactive gases that have both negative and positive climate forcing impacts when introduced to the Arctic atmosphere, and the knowledge of their emission magnitude and pattern is necessary to construct reliable climate models. However, it is unclear how different ecosystems and environmental factors such as drainage conditions upon permafrost thaw affect the emission and compound composition. Here we show that incubations of frozen B horizon of the active layer and permafrost soils collected from a High Arctic heath and fen release a range of biogenic volatile organic compounds upon thaw and during subsequent incubation experiments at temperatures of 10°C and 20°C. Meltwater drainage in the fen soils increased emission rates nine times, while having no effect in the drier heath soils. Emissions generally increased with temperature, and emission profiles for the fen soils were dominated by benzenoids and alkanes, while benzenoids, ketones, and alcohols dominated in heath soils. Our results emphasize that future changes affecting the drainage conditions of the Arctic tundra will have a large influence on volatile emissions from thawing permafrost soils – particularly in wetland/fen areas.     

Prevalence,Genetic Diversity,and Host Range of Tectiviruses among Members of the Bacillus cereus Group

GIL01, Bam35, GIL16, AP50, and Wip1 are tectiviruses preying on the Bacillus cereus group. Despite the significant contributions of phages in different biological processes, little is known about the dealings taking place between tectiviruses and their Gram-positive bacterial hosts. Therefore, this work focuses on characterizing the interactions between tectiviruses and the B. cereus group by assessing their occurrence and genetic diversity and evaluating their host range. To study the occurrence of tectiviruses in the B. cereus group, 2,000 isolates were evaluated using primers designed to be specific to two variable regions detected in previously described elements. PCR and propagation tests revealed that tectivirus-like elements occurred in less than 3% of the isolates. Regardless of this limited distribution, several novel tectiviruses were found, and partial DNA sequencing indicated that a greater diversity exists within the family Tectiviridae. Analyses of the selected variable regions, along with their host range, showed that tectiviruses in the B. cereus group can be clustered mainly into two different groups: the ones infecting B. anthracis and those isolated from other B. cereus group members. In order to address the host range of some novel tectiviruses, 120 strains were tested for sensitivity. The results showed that all the tested tectiviruses produced lysis in at least one B. cereus sensu lato strain. Moreover, no simple relationship between the infection patterns of the tectiviruses and their diversity was found.     

Microbial Community Structure of Relict Niter-Beds Previously Used for Saltpeter Production

From the 16th to the 18th centuries in Japan, saltpeter was produced using a biological niter-bed process and was formed under the floor of gassho-style houses in the historic villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama, which are classified as United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Sites. The relict niter-beds are now conserved in the underfloor space of gassho-style houses, where they are isolated from destabilizing environmental factors and retain the ability to produce nitrate. However, little is known about the nitrifying microbes in such relict niter-bed ecosystems. In this study, the microbial community structures within nine relict niter-bed soils were investigated using 454 pyrotag analysis targeting the 16S rRNA gene and the bacterial and archaeal ammonia monooxygenase gene (amoA). The 16S rRNA gene pyrotag analysis showed that members of the phyla Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Chloroflexi, Firmicutes, Gemmatimonadetes, and Planctomycetes were major microbial constituents, and principal coordinate analysis showed that the NO₃ ⁻, Cl⁻, K⁺, and Na⁺ contents were potential determinants of the structures of entire microbial communities in relict niter-bed soils. The bacterial and archaeal amoA libraries indicated that members of the Nitrosospira-type ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and “Ca. Nitrososphaera”-type ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA), respectively, predominated in relict niter-bed soils. In addition, soil pH and organic carbon content were important factors for the ecological niche of AOB and AOA in relict niter-bed soil ecosystems.     

Iron Acquisition in Bacillus cereus: The Roles of IlsA and Bacillibactin in Exogenous Ferritin Iron Mobilization

In host-pathogen interactions, the struggle for iron may have major consequences on the outcome of the disease. To overcome the low solubility and bio-availability of iron, bacteria have evolved multiple systems to acquire iron from various sources such as heme, hemoglobin and ferritin. The molecular basis of iron acquisition from heme and hemoglobin have been extensively studied; however, very little is known about iron acquisition from host ferritin, a 24-mer nanocage protein able to store thousands of iron atoms within its cavity. In the human opportunistic pathogen Bacillus cereus, a surface protein named IlsA (Iron-regulated leucine rich surface protein type A) binds heme, hemoglobin and ferritin in vitro and is involved in virulence. Here, we demonstrate that IlsA acts as a ferritin receptor causing ferritin aggregation on the bacterial surface. Isothermal titration calorimetry data indicate that IlsA binds several types of ferritins through direct interaction with the shell subunits. UV-vis kinetic data show a significant enhancement of iron release from ferritin in the presence of IlsA indicating for the first time that a bacterial protein might alter the stability of the ferritin iron core. Disruption of the siderophore bacillibactin production drastically reduces the ability of B. cereus to utilize ferritin for growth and results in attenuated bacterial virulence in insects. We propose a new model of iron acquisition in B. cereus that involves the binding of IlsA to host ferritin followed by siderophore assisted iron uptake. Our results highlight a possible interplay between a surface protein and a siderophore and provide new insights into host adaptation of B. cereus and general bacterial pathogenesis.     

一株食源性蜡样芽孢杆菌的分离及其对小鼠肠黏膜免疫相关因子和肠道菌群的影响

蜡样芽孢杆菌(Bacillus cereus)是一种常见的食源性致病菌,误食被其污染的食品会引起呕吐或者腹泻,严重者还会死亡。本研究利用划线培养法从腐败米饭中分离培养出一株蜡样芽孢杆菌。通过药敏试验分析及毒力相关基因PCR扩增对其致病性及耐药性进行分析,并将细菌培养物经过腹腔注射进行小鼠感染试验,检测其对小鼠肠黏膜免疫相关因子和肠道菌群的影响,从而分析该病原菌的致病途径及防治手段。结果显示,本研究所分离的食源性蜡样芽孢杆菌,对诺氟沙星、呋喃妥因、四环素、米诺环素、环丙沙星、大观霉素、克林霉素、红霉素、克拉霉素、氯霉素、左氟沙星和万古霉素敏感,对复方新诺明、苯唑西林和青霉素G具有耐受性。该菌株携带hblA、hblC、hblD、nheA、nheB、nheC和entFM 7种毒力相关基因,可产生致腹泻型毒素。小鼠感染后,出现腹泻,肠黏膜免疫球蛋白和炎性因子表达水平显著上调;肠道菌群检测结果表明,经该蜡样芽孢杆菌感染后,小鼠肠道菌群组成发生变化,标志着机体健康的拟杆菌门(Bacteroidetes)中的uncultured_bacterium_f_Muribaculaceae丰度显著下降,而标志着菌群失调的变形菌门(Proteobacteria)条件致病菌uncultured_bacterium_f_Enterobacteriaceae丰度显著升高,且与IgM和IgG呈显著正相关(P<0.05)。这些研究结果表明,携带致腹泻型毒力相关基因的致病性蜡样芽孢杆菌感染机体后,可以通过影响肠道菌群激活免疫系统。