Central Nervous System Toxoplasmosis and Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome

1987 ◽  
Vol 317 (24) ◽  
pp. 1540-1541 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clara Berdasco ◽  
Alipio Pinto ◽  
Mariano Blake ◽  
Fernando Correa ◽  
Nadia A. Longo Carbajosa ◽  
...  

AbstractShiga toxin 2 (Stx2) from enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) produces hemorrhagic colitis, hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and acute encephalopathy. The mortality rate in HUS increases significantly when the central nervous system (CNS) is involved. Besides, EHEC also releases lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Many reports have described cognitive dysfunctions in HUS patients, the hippocampus being one of the brain areas targeted by EHEC infection. In this context, a translational murine model of encephalopathy was employed to establish the deleterious effects of Stx2 and the contribution of LPS in the hippocampus. Results demonstrate that systemic administration of a sublethal dose of Stx2 reduced memory index and produced depression like behavior, pro-inflammatory cytokine release and NF-kB activation independent of the ERK 1/2 signaling pathway. On the other hand, LPS activated NF-kB dependent on ERK 1/2 signaling pathway. Cotreatment of Stx2 with LPS aggravated the pathologic state, while dexamethasone treatment succeeded in preventing behavioral alterations. Our present work suggests that the use of drugs such as corticosteroids or NF-kB signaling inhibitors may serve as neuroprotectors from EHEC infection.Author SummaryShiga toxin (Stx) from enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) is one of the most virulent factors responsible for hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Stx2, the endemic variant targets the brain, among other organs, thus inducing encephalopathies. Central nervous system (CNS) compromise was the main predictor of death in patients with HUS. Stx2 may exert a direct action in the CNS, by disrupting the neurovascular unit. In this context, we investigate the molecular signaling triggered by Stx2 in the murine brain hippocampus involved in inflammatory mechanisms that altered hippocampal-related cognitive behaviors. The present data underscore that the use of drugs such as dexamethasone or those blocking the cascade by preventing NF-kB translocation to the nucleus may serve as effective neuroprotectors with potentially beneficial use in the clinic.


2000 ◽  
Vol 14 (10-11) ◽  
pp. 990-992 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Signorini ◽  
S. Lucchi ◽  
M. Mastrangelo ◽  
S. Rapuzzi ◽  
A. Edefonti ◽  
...  

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 90 (4) ◽  
pp. 616-621
Author(s):  
Nevio Cimolai ◽  
Brenda J. Morrison ◽  
James E. Carter

Hemolytic-uremic syndrome is usually a consequence of enteric verotoxigenic Escherichia coli infection, and a prevailing hypothesis contends that systemically absorbed verotoxins are responsible for the multiple organ involvement. In an attempt to determine whether the central nervous system (CNS) manifestations could occur owing to factors that reflect a toxin insult, the authors studied the association of clinical and laboratory variables with the development of neurological disease. Ninety-one patients with hemolytic-uremic syndrome from 1982 through 1990 were included. Twenty-seven (18 female, 9 male) had a CNS disorder; 17 of these had seizures and there were two deaths. Multivariate analyses led to the following observations: female gender (odds ratio [OR] 8.50; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.08 to 50.0), prolonged use of an antimotility pharmacological agent (OR 8.50; 95% CI 1.69 to 42.81), and an increased hemoglobin level (OR 1.11; 95% CI 1.05 to 1.17) were associated with an increased risk for developing a neurological manifestation. Prior administration of a blood product was associated with a decreased risk (OR 0.12; 95% CI 0.02 to 0.52). The findings suggest that other mechanisms for CNS disease may exist in addition to direct toxin insult.


mBio ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leticia V. Bentancor ◽  
Maria P. Mejías ◽  
Alípio Pinto ◽  
Marcos F. Bilen ◽  
Roberto Meiss ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTShiga toxins (Stx) are the main agent responsible for the development of hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS), the most severe and life-threatening systemic complication of infection with enterohemorrhagicEscherichia coli(EHEC) strains. We previously described Stx2 expression by eukaryotic cells after they were transfectedin vitrowith thestx2gene cloned into a prokaryotic plasmid (pStx2). The aim of this study was to evaluate whether mammalian cells were also able to express Stx2in vivoafter pStx2 injection. Mice were inoculated by hydrodynamics-based transfection (HBT) with pStx2. We studied the survival, percentage of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in plasma, plasma urea levels, and histology of the kidneys and the brains of mice. Mice displayed a lethal dose-related response to pStx2. Stx2 mRNA was recovered from the liver, and Stx2 cytotoxic activity was observed in plasma of mice injected with pStx2. Stx2 was detected by immunofluorescence in the brains of mice inoculated with pStx2, and markers of central nervous system (CNS) damage were observed, including increased expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and fragmentation of NeuN in neurons. Moreover, anti-Stx2B-immunized mice were protected against pStx2 inoculation. Our results show that Stx2 is expressedin vivofrom the wildstx2gene, reproducing pathogenic damage induced by purified Stx2 or secondary to EHEC infection.IMPORTANCEEnterohemorrhagic Shiga toxin (Stx)-producingEscherichia coli(EHEC) infections are a serious public health problem, and Stx is the main pathogenic agent associated with typical hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS). In contrast to the detailed information describing the molecular basis for EHEC adherence to epithelial cells, very little is known about how Stx is released from bacteria in the gut, reaching its target tissues, mainly the kidney and central nervous system (CNS). In order to develop an efficient treatment for EHEC infections, it is necessary to understand the mechanisms involved in Stx expression. In this regard, the present study demonstrates that mammals can synthesize biologically active Stx using the natural promoter associated with the Stx-converting bacteriophage genome. These results could impact the comprehension of EHEC HUS, since local eukaryotic cells transduced and/or infected by bacteriophage encoding Stx2 could be an alternative source of Stx production.


2013 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 1016-1021 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Wengenroth ◽  
J. Hoeltje ◽  
J. Repenthin ◽  
T.N. Meyer ◽  
F. Bonk ◽  
...  

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