Colicin FY inhibits pathogenic Yersinia enterocolitica in mice

• Published in: Scientific reports Vol. 8; no. 1; pp. 1 - 12
• Main Authors: Bosák, Juraj, Micenková, Lenka, Hrala, Matěj, Pomorská, Katarína, Kunova Bosakova, Michaela, Krejci, Pavel, Göpfert, Eduard, Faldyna, Martin, Šmajs, David
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group 16.08.2018; Nature Publishing Group UK
• Subjects: Antimicrobial activity; Colonization; Diarrhea; E coli; Foodborne diseases; Intestinal microflora; Intestine; Pathogens; Probiotics; Strains (organisms); Streptomycin; Yersinia enterocolitica; Yersiniosis
• ISSN: 2045-2322; 2045-2322
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-30729-7

Abstract Yersiniosis belongs to the common foodborne diseases around the world, and frequently manifests as diarrhea that can be treated with probiotics. Colicin F Y is an antibacterial agent produced by bacteria and it is capable of specific growth inhibition of Yersinia enterocolitica , the causative agent of gastrointestinal yersiniosis. In this study, recombinant E . coli producing colicin F Y were constructed, using both known probiotic strains EcH22 and EcColinfant, and the newly isolated murine strains Ec1127 and Ec1145. All E . coli strains producing colicin F Y inhibited growth of pathogenic Y . enterocolitica during co-cultivation in vitro . In dysbiotic mice treated with streptomycin, E . coli strains producing colicin F Y inhibited progression of Y . enterocolitica infections. This growth inhibition was not observed in mice with normal gut microflora, likely due to insufficient colonization capacity of E . coli strains and/or due to spatial differences in intestinal niches. Isogenic Y . enterocolitica producing colicin F Y was constructed and shown to inhibit pathogenic Y . enterocolitica in mice with normal microflora. Evidence of in vivo antimicrobial activity of colicin F Y may have utility in the treatment of Y . enterocolitica infections.