Polysorbates prevent biofilm formation and pathogenesis of Escherichia coli O104:H4 |
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Authors: | Rudolph E. Sloup Roberto J. Cieza David B. Needle Robert B. Abramovitch Alfredo G. Torres |
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Affiliation: | 1. Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA;2. Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA |
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Abstract: | Escherichia coli biotype O104:H4 recently caused the deadliest E. coli outbreak ever reported. Based on prior results, it was hypothesized that compounds inhibiting biofilm formation by O104:H4 would reduce its pathogenesis. The nonionic surfactants polysorbate 80 (PS80) and polysorbate 20 (PS20) were found to reduce biofilms by ≥ 90% at submicromolar concentrations and elicited nearly complete dispersal of preformed biofilms. PS80 did not significantly impact in vivo colonization in a mouse infection model; however, mice treated with PS80 exhibited almost no intestinal inflammation or tissue damage while untreated mice exhibited robust pathology. As PS20 and PS80 are classified as ‘Generally Recognized as Safe’ (GRAS) compounds by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), these compounds have clinical potential to treat future O104:H4 outbreaks. |
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Keywords: | Escherichia coli biofilm polysorbate O104:H4 |
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