AUTHOR=Li Zhengchao , Deng Huimin , Zhou Yazhou , Tan Yafang , Wang Xiaoyi , Han Yanping , Liu Yangyang , Wang Ye , Yang Ruifu , Bi Yujing , Zhi Fachao 

TITLE=Bioluminescence Imaging to Track Bacteroides fragilis Inhibition of Vibrio parahaemolyticus Infection in Mice

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology

VOLUME=7

YEAR=2017

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cellular-and-infection-microbiology/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2017.00170

DOI=10.3389/fcimb.2017.00170

ISSN=2235-2988

ABSTRACT=<p><italic>Bacteroides fragilis</italic> is an anaerobic, Gram-negative, commensal bacterium of the human gut. It plays an important role in promoting the maturation of the immune system, as well as suppressing abnormal inflammation. Many recent studies have focused on the relationship between <italic>B. fragilis</italic> and human immunity, and indicate that <italic>B. fragilis</italic> has many useful probiotic effects. As inhibition of intestinal pathogens is an important characteristic of probiotic strains, this study examined whether <italic>B. fragilis</italic> could inhibit pathogenic bacteria. Results showed that <italic>Vibrio parahaemolyticus</italic> was inhibited by <italic>B. fragilis in vitro</italic>, and that <italic>B. fragilis</italic> could protect both RAW 264.7 and LoVo cells from damage caused by <italic>V. parahaemolyticus</italic>. Using <italic>in vivo</italic> imaging, we constructed a light-emitting <italic>V. parahaemolyticus</italic> strain and showed that <italic>B. fragilis</italic> might shorten the colonization time and reduce the number of <italic>lux</italic>-expressing bacteria in a mouse model. These results provide useful information for developing <italic>B. fragilis</italic> into a probiotic product, and also indicate that this commensal bacterium might aid in the clinical treatment of gastroenteritis caused by <italic>V. parahaemolyticus</italic>.</p>