Open AccessSurvival, distribution, and translocation of E nterococcus faecalis and implications for pregnant mice
Author(s) -
Tan Qianglai,
Xu Hengyi,
Xu Feng,
Aguilar Zoraida P.,
Yang Youjun,
Dong Suqin,
Chen Tingtao,
Wei Hua
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/1574-6968.12280
Subject(s) - enterococcus faecalis , biology , fetus , offspring , microbiology and biotechnology , pregnancy , bacteria , placenta , chromosomal translocation , microbiome , streptococcaceae , physiology , immunology , antibiotics , bioinformatics , genetics , staphylococcus aureus , gene
Pregnant mothers are susceptible to bacterial infections, which may compromise the health of mothers and offspring. E nterococcus faecalis is a ubiquitous species found in food, restaurants, and hospitals where pregnant woman frequently become exposed to this bacterium. However, the survival, distribution, translocation, and corresponding influence of E . faecalis have not been investigated during the pregnancy period, when the mother and fetus are susceptible to bacterial infection. In this study, a fluorescing E . faecalis strain was used to track the fate of the bacterium in pregnant mice. Orally administered E . faecalis were found to survive and disseminate to all regions of the intestinal tract. It also altered the bacterial community structure by significantly decreasing the diversity of L actobacillus species, impairing the normal structure and function of the intestinal barrier, which may contribute to the bacterial translocation into the blood, spleen, placenta, and fetus. This may affect fetal and placental growth and development.