Roles of carbohydrates in the infection strategies of enteric pathogens
10.2149/tmh.2014-25
- Author:
Kentaro Kato
;
Akiko Ishiwa
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
bacteria;
carbohydrate;
enteric pathogen;
infection;
protozoa;
virus
- From:Tropical Medicine and Health
2014;():-
- CountryJapan
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Enteric pathogens cause considerable public health concerns worldwideincluding the tropical regions. Here, we review the roles of carbohydrates inthe infection strategies of various enteric pathogens including viruses,bacteria and protozoa, which infect the epithelial lining of human and animalintestine. At host cell entry, enteric viruses, including norovirus, recognize mainlyhisto-blood group antigens. At the initial step of bacterial infections,carbohydrates also function as receptors for attachment. Here, we describe the functionsof carbohydrates in infection by Salmonellaenterica and several bacterial species that produce varieties of fimbrialadhesions. During invasion by enteropathogenic protozoa, apicomplexan parasitesutilize sialic acids or sulfated glycans. Carbohydrates serve as receptors forinfections by these microbes; however, the usage of carbohydrates by themvaries depending on the microbe. On the surface of the mucosal tissues of thegastrointestinal tracts, various carbohydrate moieties are present and playcrucial roles in infection, representing the site of infection or route ofaccess for most microbes. During the infectionand/or invasion processes of the microbes, carbohydrates function as receptorsfor various microbes, while they can also function as abarrier to infection. One approach to develop effective prophylactic and therapeutic antimicrobialagents is to modify the drug structure. Another approach is to modify the modeof inhibition of infection depending on the individual pathogen by using andmimicking these interactions with carbohydrate. In addition, similarities inmode of infection may also be utilized. Thesefindings we described are useful in development of the new drugs for treatmentsof enteric pathogens.
