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Effects of artificially introduced Enterococcus faecalis strains in experimental necrotizing enterocolitis

Authors :
Jin Wang
Henri R. Ford
Christopher P. Gayer
Mubina A. Isani
Patrick T. Delaplain
Brandon Bell
Anatoly Grishin
Emily Zhang
Source :
PLoS ONE, Vol 14, Iss 11, p e0216762 (2019), PLoS ONE
Publication Year :
2019
Publisher :
Public Library of Science (PLoS), 2019.

Abstract

Enterococcus faecalis is a ubiquitous intestinal symbiont and common early colonizer of the neonatal gut. Although colonization with E. faecalis has been previously associated with decreased NEC pathology, these bacteria have been also implicated as opportunistic pathogens. Here we characterized 21 strains of E. faecalis, naturally occurring in 4-day-old rats, for potentially pathogenic properties and ability to colonize the neonatal gut. The strains differed in hemolysis, gelatin liquefaction, antibiotic resistance, biofilm formation, and ability to activate the pro-inflammatory transcription factor NF-κB in cultured enterocytes. Only 3 strains appreciably colonized the neonatal intestine on day 4 after artificial introduction with the first feeding. The best colonizer, strain BB70, effectively displaced maternal E. faecalis and significantly increased NEC pathology. Our results show that colonization with E. faecalis may predispose neonates to NEC.

Details

ISSN :
19326203
Volume :
14
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
PLOS ONE
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....5c060371a4c2014a3307dd963ae749e6
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0216762