Researchers at the University of Washington have uncovered a probiotic bacterium with promising implications for treating irritable bowel syndrome and combating gut bacterial infections caused by salmonella. Led by Manuela Raffatellu, assistant professor of microbiology and molecular genetics, the team identified a probiotic strain of E. coli that effectively reduces salmonella colonization by competing for iron, an essential nutrient for salmonella replication in the gut.
The E. coli strain, known as Nissle 1917, was found to outcompete salmonella in iron acquisition, leading to a decrease in salmonella levels in the gut when Nissle is administered during infection. This breakthrough not only offers a potential treatment for irritable bowel syndrome but also holds promise for alleviating foodborne illnesses affecting millions annually, as many gut bacterial pathogens rely on iron for growth.
The study detailing these findings was published in the journal Cell Host and Microbe.