Authors: Rahul Mittal, Sunil K. Sukumaran, Suresh K. Selvaraj, David G. Wooster, M. Madan Babu, Alan D. Schreiber, J. Sjef Verbeek, Nemani V. Prasadarao
DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1001203
Abstract Summary
Researchers discovered that E. coli K1 hijacks newborn immune cells to cause deadly meningitis. The bacteria’s outer protein OmpA binds to macrophage receptor FcγRIa, allowing infection without antibodies. Mice lacking this receptor resist infection due to faster bacterial clearance. This finding reveals how E. coli exploits immune cells and suggests new therapeutic targets for neonatal meningitis.
Why Brain? 🧠
Study reveals E. coli K1 exploits macrophage receptor CD64 to cause deadly neonatal meningitis. Bacteria use outer membrane protein to hijack immune cells, enabling survival and brain invasion.
The image is AI-generated for illustrative purposes only. Courtesy of Midjourney.
