Effect of exposure to hydrogen peroxide on the virulence of Escherichia coli

Hegde, A and Bhat, GK and Mallya, S (2008) Effect of exposure to hydrogen peroxide on the virulence of Escherichia coli. Indian Journal of Medical Microbiology, 26 (1). pp. 25-28.

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Abstract

To eliminate pathogenic bacteria, the host presents conditions that are stressful for bacteria. Oxidative stress arises when the concentration of pro-oxidants like hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) and superoxide anion increases to a level over the basal defence capacity of the cell. In the present study, we studied the effect of oxidative stress on the production of certain virulence factors by Escherichia coli . Methods: E. coli was exposed to oxidative stress by growing in the presence of different concentrations of H 2 O 2 . The effect of oxidative stress on the expression of surface hydrophobicity, adherence, haemolysin production, serum resistance and phagocytosis was studied. Results: Oxidative stress caused a significant decrease in the expression of all the virulence factors of E. coli . Conclusions: Synthesis of virulence factors can be significantly altered by oxidative stress and such changes may affect the pathogenicity of E. coli.

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