Rahal Elias A, Fadlallah Sukayna M, Nassar Farah J, Kazzi Natalie, Matar Ghassan M
Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut Beirut, Lebanon.
Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2015 Mar 18;5:24. doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2015.00024. eCollection 2015.
Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are a group of diarrheagenic bacteria associated with foodborne outbreaks. Infection with these agents may result in grave sequelae that include fatality. A large number of STEC serotypes has been identified to date. E. coli serotype O104:H4 is an emerging pathogen responsible for a 2011 outbreak in Europe that resulted in over 4000 infections and 50 deaths. STEC pathogenicity is highly reliant on the production of one or more Shiga toxins that can inhibit protein synthesis in host cells resulting in a cytotoxicity that may affect various organ systems. Antimicrobials are usually avoided in the treatment of STEC infections since they are believed to induce bacterial cell lysis and the release of stored toxins. Some antimicrobials have also been reported to enhance toxin synthesis and production from these organisms. Various groups have attempted alternative treatment approaches including the administration of toxin-directed antibodies, toxin-adsorbing polymers, probiotic agents and natural remedies. The utility of antibiotics in treating STEC infections has also been reconsidered in recent years with certain modalities showing promise.
产志贺毒素大肠杆菌（STEC）是一类与食源性疾病暴发相关的致泻性细菌。感染这些病原体可能导致严重后果，包括死亡。迄今为止，已鉴定出大量的STEC血清型。大肠杆菌O104:H4血清型是一种新出现的病原体，它在2011年欧洲暴发中导致了4000多例感染和50人死亡。STEC的致病性高度依赖于一种或多种志贺毒素的产生，这些毒素可抑制宿主细胞中的蛋白质合成，从而导致细胞毒性，可能影响各种器官系统。治疗STEC感染通常避免使用抗菌药物，因为人们认为它们会诱导细菌细胞裂解并释放储存的毒素。也有报道称，一些抗菌药物会增强这些生物体的毒素合成和产生。各个研究团队尝试了多种替代治疗方法，包括使用毒素导向抗体、毒素吸附聚合物、益生菌制剂和天然药物。近年来，抗生素在治疗STEC感染中的作用也得到了重新审视，某些治疗方式显示出了前景。
