concept

Salmonella Typhimurium infection of a human epithelial cell

Campylobacter, SEM

Salmonella enterica

Grey mould (Botrytis cinerea) on strawberries

Enteropathogenic E. coli on human intestinal cells

Staphylococcal enterotoxin B

Staphylococcal enterotoxin A

SEM of E.coli 0157

Campylobacter, scanning electron micrograph. This genus of Gram-negative bacteria is a common cause of food poisoning, causing diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting and headaches.

SEM of Campylobacter

Molecular model of Streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin A1 (SpeA1) from <I>Streptococcus pyogenes</I>. This is a bacterial superantigen capable of causing toxic shock, or food poisoning if ingested.

Streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin A1

Scanning electron micrograph of Escherichia coli 0157, showing many individuals

Molecular model of the staphylococcal enterotoxin C2 protein. This bacterial superantigen has extremely strong immunostimulatory properties, cross linking MHC class II molecules with T-cell receptors to bring about cytokine production in T-cells which leads onto various shock related symptoms.

Staphylococcal enterotoxin C2

This pair of images demonstrates how a disease-causing strain of E. coli bacteria brings about diarrhoea by breaking down the waterproof barriers between the cells. First of all the bacteria, seen as small red dots, attach to the surface of intestinal cells, making tiny pedestals out of one of the cell's own proteins (bright green). Once attached, the bacteria send signals into the cells, causing the tight junctions (blue) between the cells to break down. Water is then able to seep out between the cells into the intestine, leading to diarrhoea. The image on the top shows an early stage in the process where the tight junctions are still intact and show as continuous blue lines between the cells. The image on the bottom is taken later in the process, once the tight junctions have broken down. Their remnants appear as blue dots.

How E. coli causes diarrhoea

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Food poisoning

Images

Catalogue

SEM of Campylobacter

Streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin A1

SEM of E.coli 0157

Staphylococcal enterotoxin C2

How E. coli causes diarrhoea

Wellcome uses cookies.

Food poisoning

Images

Catalogue

SEM of Campylobacter

Streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin A1

SEM of E.coli 0157

Staphylococcal enterotoxin C2

How E. coli causes diarrhoea

Wellcome Collection

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