A recent research article published in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) investigates a groundbreaking strategy to prevent the spread and infection of Vibrio cholerae, the bacteria responsible for cholera. The study, coauthored by Karl Klose, director of The South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases (STCEID), and Cameron Lloyd, a UTSA doctoral student, explores the potential of peptide inhibitors to inhibit the virulence of Vibrio cholerae.
Cholera is an intestinal infection that leads to severe symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, circulatory collapse, and shock. If left untreated, it can be fatal, with up to a 50% fatality rate in severe cases. It is a major cause of epidemic diarrhea worldwide, affecting millions of people each year.
V. cholerae is typically found in marine environments and colonizes the gastrointestinal tract when humans consume contaminated water or food. The bacteria adhere to human cells, form biofilms, and cause the disease.
Lloyd, the primary author of the study, conducted the research as part of his Ph.D. thesis project under the guidance of Klose, who has been studying V. cholerae for three decades. The research involved identifying a peptide that can inhibit V. cholerae’s ability to adhere to human cells, form biofilms, and colonize the gastrointestinal tract.
The peptide inhibitors were discovered to bind to an Antarctic bacterium called Marinomonas primoryensis, which sticks to microalgae in a similar manner to V. cholerae’s adherence to human intestines. By disrupting V. cholerae’s adherence process, the peptide inhibitors can inhibit biofilm formation and intestinal colonization.
“This could be part of intervention strategies to inhibit these bacteria from causing disease and persisting in the environment,” said Klose. The findings of this research provide new insights into potential methods to control and prevent the spread of cholera.
The STCEID, where the Klose Lab is located, focuses on understanding how bacteria cause diseases. They have extensive experience studying pathogens like V. cholerae and Francisella tularensis, which causes rabbit fever. The Center is renowned for its expertise in infectious disease research and provides training opportunities for students pursuing careers in science and technology.
Lloyd, who worked in the Klose Lab for five years, stated that this project equipped him with knowledge in molecular biology, coding, and high throughput data analysis. The research collaboration with other institutions, including Queens University in Canada and Eindhoven University in the Netherlands, highlights the global effort to combat infectious diseases.
The discovery of peptide inhibitors as a potential strategy to prevent the spread of Vibrio cholerae represents a significant advancement in the field of infectious disease research. Further studies and development of these inhibitors could contribute to effective interventions against cholera, ultimately reducing its global impact.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
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