Effect of chlorine injury on heat-labile enterotoxin production in enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli.
Heat-labile enterotoxin (LT) production was examined in chlorine-injured and noninjured populations of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) by passive immune hemolysis and Y-1 mouse adrenal tumor cell assays. Sublethally injured populations showed reduced LT production after 1, 2.5, and 4 h incubation in trypticase soy broth plus 0.25% glucose, pH 8.0. Reduction was observed during injury, resuscitation, and for at least 1.5 h following repair. LT levels comparable with that present in noninjured cells were found after 24 h incubation in the same medium, indicating delayed toxigenesis rather than permanent damage. Chlorinated populations failed to incorporate [14C]glucose until repair was completed suggesting a possible explanation for delayed toxin production. The results indicate a temporary loss of virulence among sublethally injured ETEC in chlorinated waters.
Walsh
S M
SM
Division of Plant and Soil Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown 26506-6057.
Bissonnette
G K
GK
D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; D000818:Animals; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000494:pharmacology; D002460:Cell Line; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002713:Chlorine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004768:Enterotoxins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000494:pharmacology; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D006461:Hemolysis / Q000187:drug effects; D007700:Kinetics; D051379:Mice; D014410:Tumor Stem Cell Assay
D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D004768:Enterotoxins; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; D002713:Chlorine; C027538:heat-labile enterotoxin, E coli; D005947:Glucose