New insights into gastrointestinal anthrax infection

Jennifer L. Owen, Tao Yang, Mansour Mohamadzadeh

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

23 Scopus citations

Abstract

Bacterial infections are the primary cause of gastrointestinal (GI) disorders in both developing and developed countries, and are particularly dangerous for infants and children. Bacillus anthracis is the 'archetype zoonotic' pathogen; no other infectious disease affects such a broad range of species, including humans. Importantly, there are more case reports of GI anthrax infection in children than inhalational disease. Early diagnosis is difficult and widespread systemic disease develops rapidly. This review highlights new findings concerning the roles of the gut epithelia, commensal microbiota, and innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) in initiation of disease and systemic dissemination in animal models of GI anthrax, the understanding of which is crucial to designing alternative therapies that target the establishment of infection.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)154-163
Number of pages10
JournalTrends in Molecular Medicine
Volume21
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1 2015
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • B-1 cells
  • Bacillus anthracis
  • Gastrointestinal anthrax
  • Infectious enteritis
  • Innate lymphoid cells
  • Microbiota

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Medicine
  • Molecular Biology

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