SUB-LETHAL DOSE OF SHIGA TOXIN2 (STX2) FROM ENTEROHEMORRHAGIC ESCHERICHIA COLI AFFECTS BALANCE AND CEREBELLAR ULTRASTRUCTURE

DALESSIO L.; PINTO A; CANGELOSI A; GEOGHEGAN PA; TIRONI-FARINATI C; BRENER, GJ; GOLDSTEIN J

Simposio; 9th Triennial International Symposium on Shiga Toxin (Verocytotoxin)-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) meeting; 2015

Introduction: Stx2 may damage the CNS independently or concomitantly with Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS). Cerebellar dysfunction may occur following intoxication with Stx2, however studies regarding this issue is scarce. The aim of this study was to determine the cerebellar compromise after intravenous administration of a sub-lethal dose of Stx2.Methods: Male NIH mice (25g) were injected intravenously with vehicle (control group), 0.5ηg, or 1ηg of Stx2 per mouse (sub-lethal dose). Cerebellar blood brain barrier permeability was determined by the Evans blue assay while cell ultrastructure was determined by transmission electron microscope (TEM). Cerebellar functionality was studied by measuring the fall angle in the inclined plane test during 23 days.Results and Discussion: Sub-lethal Stx2 significantly increased the blood brain barrier permeability (100 ± 15 folds, P