Shiga Toxin-Associated Infection
A special issue of Toxins (ISSN 2072-6651). This special issue belongs to the section "Bacterial Toxins".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2018)
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Shiga toxin-associated infection is a major threat to public health, leading to watery or bloody diarrhea and the severe, and sometimes life-threatening, complication termed hemolytic uremic syndrome. Hemolytic uremic syndrome is characterized by the post-diarrheal acute onset of hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia and kidney failure. Extra-renal manifestations may include major neurological complications, as well as injury to multiple organs. Hemolytic uremic syndrome has been strongly associated with clinical isolates of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli or Shigella dysentriae that produce the unique virulence factor Shiga toxin.
Shiga toxin-producing bacteria may contaminate food and water. Upon ingestion, the bacteria can interact with commensal strains and colonize the intestine. The release of Shiga toxin enables its binding to a glycolipid receptor on host cells. Advanced studies have demonstrated the mechanism of toxin uptake by endocytosis and its retrograde transport to ribosomes. The cytotoxic effects are associated with ribosome inactivation thereby inhibiting protein synthesis and leading to cell death. In addition, activation of cellular stress signals may trigger apoptosis as well as the host response. Emerging evidence suggests that the toxin circulates bound to blood cells and in blood cell-derived microvesicles, thereby reaching its target organs, such as the kidney. Cell death and activation of the host response, including the onset of thrombosis, may contribute to features of hemolytic uremic syndrome.
This Special Issue of Toxins is dedicated to various features of Shiga toxin-associated infection, from food safety to cellular and animal models of infection as well as the pathophysiology of human infection. Aspects of prevention, management and potential therapeutic developments will be addressed.
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- verotoxin
- hemolytic uremic syndrome
- hemorrhagic colitis
- food safety
- enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli
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