Vibrio cholerae produces a second enterotoxin, which affects intestinal tight junctions.
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Discussion
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Implication
Randomized trial reports increased intestinal permeability due to zonula occludens toxin in cholera strains, suggesting new vaccine implications.
Key Points
- The study investigates the presence and effects of a second enterotoxin produced by Vibrio cholerae on intestinal tight junctions.
- Examined culture supernatants from CT-positive and CT-negative Vibrio cholerae strains in Ussing chambers
- Characterized the toxin's properties, including its size (10-30 kDa), heat-lability, and protease sensitivity
- Evaluated correlation between toxin production and diarrheagenicity in volunteers.
- A toxin was identified that increases intestinal mucosal permeability by affecting tight junction structure.
- ZOT (zonula occludens toxin) was shown to be heat-labile and reversible, impacting intercellular junctions.
- Production of ZOT correlates with the diarrheagenicity of Vibrio cholerae strains in volunteers.
Cite This Study
Fasano et al. (1991) studied this question.