A research team has found an antibody that specifically targets the foodborne pathogen Campylobacter jejuni and discovered that it can inhibit the bacteria’s energy production proteins.
Bacterial infections that lead to enteritis, and at times, more severe conditions like sepsis, remain a significant global health challenge. Infections caused by Campylobacter bacteria are a primary contributor to diarrheal diseases and extra-intestinal infections, particularly among children under 5 years old and older adults. Currently, there is no effective vaccine or treatment available. Researchers from Osaka Metropolitan University have made a significant advancement in developing methods for the prevention, detection, and treatment of Campylobacter infections.
The research team, led by Professor Shinji Yamasaki and Associate Professor Noritoshi Hatanaka from the Graduate School of Veterinary Science and the Osaka International Research Center for Infectious Diseases at OMU, concentrated their efforts on Campylobacter jejuni, which is known to commonly cause gastroenteritis and occasionally lead to other infections. They successfully created an antibody that can detect C. jejuni and inhibit its growth.
This monoclonal antibody interacts with a protein complex referred to as QcrC, which is vital for the ability of C. jejuni to cause disease. This QcrC molecule has been identified in various strains of C. jejuni, enhancing the reliability of the antibody in recognizing the bacteria species. Additionally, this molecule plays a crucial role in the bacteria’s energy production, and the antibody works to disrupt this process, which slows down the growth of the bacteria and reduces its virulence.
“Our research results may pave the way for preventive strategies to ensure Campylobacter infections do not escalate in severity, and they could assist in creating an easy method for detecting C. jejuni,” Associate Professor Hatanaka commented.
“Establishing a straightforward detection system,” noted Professor Yamasaki, “will aid in the prompt identification of contaminated food, which will be advantageous for managing C. jejuni outbreaks and curbing food poisoning, in addition to supporting vaccine development.”
