Cronobacter

Question 1

What is the main food with Cronobacter?

Answer 1

Powdered Infatnt Formula

Question 2

Why does it affect infants more?

Answer 2

increased stomach pH
lower microbiom
immunocompromised

Question 3

What are Cronobacters virulence factors>

Answer 3

Outer Membrane proteins - OmpX/A
Etnerotoxins
Outer Membrane proteases
Sialic Acid utilization
Efflux Systems

Outer membrane proteins are particular interest, owing to their cell-surface exposure and contribution in export of extracellular virulence factors and in anchoring the structures that mediate adhesion and motility
OmpA helps cells adhere to GI epithelial cells
Only OmpA positive Cronobacter breach blood brain barrier
OmpX helps invasion on the apical side of GI epithelial cells but also helps Cronobacter survive on the basolateral side as well
Reported the presence of plasmid (pESA3) encoding an outer membrane proteases (cpa)
This protease has an ability to render serum resistance by cleaving complement components, activating plasminogen and inactivating a plasmin inhibitor
The pESA3 plasmid also encodes a type 6 secretion system and some adhesion factors

Question 4

What does OmpA do?

Answer 4

breach epithelial cells–> blood/brain/basolateral

Question 5

Wht does outermembrane proteases do?

Answer 5

Plasminiogen activator

Question 6

What are symptoms in infants?

Answer 6

Necrotizing enterocolitis
Septicemia
Meningitis

Question 7

What is the fatality rate for Cronobacter?

Answer 7

Mortality rates associated with Cronobacter infection are very high and even survivors will likely have permanent developmental damage