Wall Lab paper published in Cell Reports
Published: 24 February 2020
New research by Dr Donal Wall shows propionic acid - a bacteria-derived antimicrobial used widely in food production - may be affecting those with Crohn's Disease
New research by the Institute of Infection, Immunity, & Inflammation's Dr Donal Wall shows propionic acid - a bacteria-derived antimicrobial used widely in food production - may be affecting those with Crohn's Disease.
A particular type of E. coli, termed adherent-invasive E. coli, is isolated with increased frequency from the intestine of Crohn's Disease sufferers. Its origin and role in the disease have been the subject of intense debate.
The Wall Lab's work discovered that exposure of this E. coli to the short chain fatty acid propionic acid significantly increased virulence of the pathogen in a defined but reversible way.
Propionic acid is a natural intestinal antimicrobial and immunomodulator so these findings are concerning, particularly as propionic acid is increasingly used in food production as an alternative to antibiotics.
Senior Lecturer in Bacteriology, Dr Wall said: "Propionic acid removes pathogens such as Salmonella and Campylobacter when supplemented in feed for poultry for example, but its effects on other bacteria remain unclear.
"Our data indicates that using propionic acid, which is so important for maintenance of human intestinal health, on such a large scale industrially may have unintended consequences on virulence of other bacteria."
Image credit: @eliza_coli
First published: 24 February 2020
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