Researchers fight a child killerSeptember 03, 1998University researchers join battle against E.coli Dr Fletcher said: "Some strains of E.coli are capable of causing infections such as cystitis, meningitis and diarrhoea. Our particular interest is a class of diarrhoea termed Enteropathogenic E.coli (EPEC). Though first identified as causing isolated cases and minor epidemics of illness among infants in developed countries, it is now known that EPEC is one of the major causes of diarrhoea and sickness among children under one year of age in developing countries. "It has been estimated that Enteropathogenic E.coli is responsible for the deaths of up to a million infants per year in Asia, South America and Africa - yet very little is known about how it actually causes diarrhoeal illness. "But what we do know is that the infection causes profound structural and biochemical changes in cells lining the intestine, resulting in considerable fluid loss," said Dr Fletcher. University researchers, utilising cell culture models and modern gene manipulation techniques, are investigating the changes which take place in such cells, along with the bacterial factors involved in inducing such changes. Dr Fletcher said: "The main objective of our research is to further our knowledge of the way in which the E.coli bacteria interacts with human cells in the hope that one day this might lead to a more rapid diagnosis or effective treatment of the disease." The wide range of research experience in the department has encouraged the team to use a cross-disciplinary approach to the problem. Dr Fletcher added: "As well as looking at the properties of the E.coli bacteria itself, collaborative work with my colleague Dr Anne Graham has enabled us to use cultured human cell models to investigate biochemical changes which occur during infection." Bradford, University of |
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