title: Host-pathogen Interaction at the Intestinal Mucosa Correlates With Zoonotic Potential of Streptococcus suis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Streptococcus suis has emerged as an important cause of bacterial meningitis in adults. The ingestion of undercooked pork is a risk factor for human S. suis serotype 2 (SS2) infection. Here we provide experimental evidence indicating that the gastrointestinal tract is an entry site of SS2 infection.
  
  
  METHODS
  We developed a noninvasive in vivo model to study oral SS2 infection in piglets. We compared in vitro interaction of S. suis with human and porcine intestinal epithelial cells (IEC).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two out of 15 piglets showed clinical symptoms compatible with S. suis infection 24-48 hours after ingestion of SS2. SS2 was detected in mesenteric lymph nodes of 40% of challenged piglets. SS2 strains isolated from patients showed significantly higher adhesion to human IEC compared to invasive strains isolated from pigs. In contrast, invasive SS9 strains showed significantly higher adhesion to porcine IEC. Translocation across human IEC, which occurred predominately via a paracellular route, was significantly associated with clonal complex 1, the predominant zoonotic genotype. Adhesion and translocation were dependent on capsular polysaccharide production.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SS2 should be considered a food-borne pathogen. S. suis interaction with human and pig IEC correlates with S. suis serotype and genotype, which can explain the zoonotic potential of SS2.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, Academic Medical Center, Center for Infection and Immunity Department of Global Health-Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and Development, University of Amsterdam.
authors.forename: Maria Laura
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Ferrando
authors.affiliation: Central Veterinary Institute, Part of Wageningen UR, Lelystad, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Astrid
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: de Greeff
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, Academic Medical Center, Center for Infection and Immunity Department of Global Health-Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and Development, University of Amsterdam.
authors.forename: Willemien J M
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: van Rooijen
authors.affiliation: Central Veterinary Institute, Part of Wageningen UR, Lelystad, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Norbert
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Stockhofe-Zurwieden
authors.affiliation: Technical University of Denmark, National Veterinary Institute, Lindholm, Denmark.
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.affiliation: Central Veterinary Institute, Part of Wageningen UR, Lelystad, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Paul J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Wichgers Schreur
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, Academic Medical Center, Center for Infection and Immunity.
authors.forename: Yvonne
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Pannekoek
authors.affiliation: GD Animal Health, Deventer, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Annet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Heuvelink
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, Academic Medical Center, Center for Infection and Immunity.
authors.forename: Arie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: van der Ende
authors.affiliation: Central Veterinary Institute, Part of Wageningen UR, Lelystad, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Hilde
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, Academic Medical Center, Center for Infection and Immunity Department of Global Health-Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and Development, University of Amsterdam Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
authors.forename: Constance
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schultsz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000382:microbiology*; D008297:Male; D016920:Meningitis, Bacterial / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000662:veterinary*; D017011:Streptococcus suis / Q000502:physiology*; D013552:Swine; D015047:Zoonoses / Q000382:microbiology*
keywords: Streptococcus suis; clonal complex; intestinal translocation; piglets; serotype; tight junctions; zoonotic infections