Escherichia coli K1 aslA contributes to invasion of brain microvascular endothelial cells in vitro and in vivo.

ABSTRACT: Neonatal Escherichia coli meningitis remains a devastating disease, with unacceptably high morbidity and mortality despite advances in supportive care measures and bactericidal antibiotics. To further our ability to improve the outcome of affected neonates, a better understanding of the pathogenesis of the disease is necessary. To identify potential bacterial genes which contribute to E. coli invasion of the blood-brain barrier, a cerebrospinal fluid isolate of E. coli K1 was mutagenized with TnphoA. TnphoA mutant 27A-6 was found to have a significantly decreased ability to invade brain microvascular endothelial cells compared to the wild type. In vivo, 32% of the animals infected with mutant 27A-6 developed meningitis, compared to 82% of those infected with the parent strain, despite simi

SUBMITTER: Hoffman JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC101739 | biostudies-literature | 2000 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature