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Treatment for E. coli infections can sometimes cause more harm than good when it comes to toxin-producing germs. For this reason, unless illness is severe, antibiotic treatment is often avoided. A group of Scottish scientists may have a solution to this potential deadly balance of treatment versus harm.
Why does treatment for E. coli infections potentially result in kidney damage? What is the new treatment? How soon can it be available?
Follow along for this, and more!
Scientists from the University of Glasgow and University of Strathclyde in Scottland tested a novel compound, Aurodox, on Shiga toxin-producing E. coli infections in mice.
Their paper, published in Nature, titled “Evaluating the Protective effects of Aurodox in a Murine Model of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli” explored the benefits of this treatment.
Using a mouse model, these scientists were able to measure different effects on the body when infected with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) both with and without Aurodox treatment.
This isn’t the first time these scientists have worked with Aurodox. In fact, the current study builds on a previous discovery in 2018 where the team found that the compound could block infections for E. coli O157. One of the most deadly STEC strains.
First identified in 1973, Aurodox, also known as 1-Methylmocimycin or Goldinodox, is a known antibiotic. Though historically, it has been seen as a weak one.
It disrupts the bacteria’s ability to produce proteins and impacts the cell’s ribosome activity.
However, recently, its “antivirulence” properties and beneficial impact to the gut microbiome have been explored.
In short, Aurodox is believed to help reduce the effects of harmful germs and toxins and help build good gut microbiome activity.
But can it be successfully used in bacterial infections?
That is what these scientists wanted to know.
Treatment for toxin-producing bacterial infections can be tricky. Antibiotic treatment often leads to additional health complications. So antibiotic treatment is avoided for these types of infections if possible. Except in extreme situations.
The reason antibiotic treatment in toxin-producing bacteria involves the microbe’s defense mechanisms.
When the bacteria experience DNA damage, a necessary part of antibiotic strategy, the cell begins to produce toxins. In the case of STEC, it is a seriously dangerous Shiga-toxin. One that often causes a type of kidney failure in those infected with the bacteria. This complication is known as hemolytic uremic syndrome, or HUS.
For this reason, there is a slim window that healthcare providers will administer antibiotic treatment for STEC infections.
Around 5-15% of those with E. coli infections develop this type of kidney complication. Of which, 3-5% will not survive.
STEC and other toxins-producing bacterial infections can cause this type of kidney failure.
But how does an often foodborne bacteria impact the kidney?
This type of complication happens when bacteria leave the digestive system by compromising the lining of capillaries in the intestinal wall. Once in the bloodstream, the toxins are free to rupture blood cells.
The remnants of the ruptured blood cells flowing through the veins make it to the kidney, where the blood is filtered. Those broken cells can clog the filtering tubes in the kidney, blocking the organ from doing the important work of cleaning the blood.
This can result in kidney failure and other downstream negative health effects.
Those with HUS require hospitalization and monitoring and often undergo dialysis treatment.
Aurodox used as a treatment for E. coli infections has a different approach.
Instead of outright attacking and trying to kill the bacteria, it takes a back door. It blocks certain aspects of the bacteria. This prevents those nasty toxins from forming.
It also helps prevent the bacteria from attaching and breaching the epithelial cells in the gut. Reducing its ability to thrive and spread to other parts of the body.
In addition to effectively treating infected mice, researchers discovered certain key benefits of Aurodox treatment.
Weight loss is a serious concern in small bodies infected with STEC. During the study, scientists observed a regain of weight loss between day 6 and day 9 of infection. This phenomenon was observed in all experiments using the mouse model during this study.
STEC infections spread through contaminated feces (poop). This is because the bacteria shed in the feces. Test subjects administered Aurodox treatment demonstrated reduced fecal shedding much more quickly than control subjects.
Red blood cell proportions measured in Aurodox treated mice were significantly higher than those who were not treated with the compound. An indication of reduced blood cell rupture. This reduces the potential risk for kidney failure due to clogged filtering tubes.
Most antibiotic treatment kill a significant portion of the body’s microbe population. It can kill both the bad bacteria as well as the good ones that help your body break down food and displace bad bacteria. Aurodox treatment increased the observed probiotic strains in test subjects.
For now, Aurodox is not approved for human or animal use. An extensive U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) process is needed to allow this compound to be used for treating humans. Though these initial steps are the beginning of that process.
Human trials will likely be coming soon.
In the meantime, Aurodox may be used in bioremediation strategies to reduce pollutants in the environment or other non-medical applications to degrade or neutralize pollutants.
If you’d like to know more about food safety topics in the news, like “Scottish Scientists Find Novel Treatment for E. coli Infectiosn That May Reduce Risk of Kidney Damage,” check out the Make Food Safe Blog. We regularly update trending topics, foodborne infections in the news, recalls, and more! Stay tuned for quality information to help keep your family safe, while The Lange Law Firm, PLLC strives to Make Food Safe!
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)
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