Relationship of Campylobacter toxigenicity in vitro to the development of postinfectious irritable bowel syndrome.
Campylobacter enteritis is associated with a significant risk of developing irritable bowel syndrome, but the mechanism is unknown. This study ascertained bowel symptoms in 93 patients 3 months after Campylobacter jejuni enteritis infection. The infecting organisms were cultured, and the effects of culture supernatants on toxin-sensitive epithelial cell monolayers (HEp-2, Green monkey kidney epithelial [Vero], and CHO-K1) were investigated. In all, 50, 43, and 41 of the isolates showed toxigenic effects on HEp-2, CHO-K1, and Vero cells, respectively. Persistently changed bowel habit was reported by 9 of 50 persons with HEp-2 toxin-positive infections but by only 2 of 43 with isolates negative for toxin (chi2=4.0; P<.05). Toxicity to HEp-2 and Vero cells was associated with significantly increased numbers of days with loose stools 6 months after C. jejuni enteritis infection (both, P<.05). Thus, long-term symptoms that occur Campylobacter infection are significantly associated with bacterial toxicity.
Thornley
J P
JP
Department of Pathology, University Hospital, Nottingham, United Kingdom.
Jenkins
D
D
Neal
K
K
Wright
T
T
Brough
J
J
Spiller
R C
RC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000633:toxicity*; D016466:CHO Cells; D002169:Campylobacter Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology; D016123:Campylobacter jejuni / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism; D002460:Cell Line; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D003109:Colonic Diseases, Functional / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006224:Cricetinae; D004751:Enteritis / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D014709:Vero Cells
D001427:Bacterial Toxins