The Combined Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 and Tryptophan Treatment Modulates Immune and Metabolome Responses to Human Rotavirus Infection in a Human Infant Fecal Microbiota-Transplanted Malnourished Gnotobiotic Pig Model

Abstract

Human rotavirus (HRV) is the most common cause of viral gastroenteritis in children, especially in developing countries, where the efficacy of oral HRV vaccines is reduced. Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) is used to treat enteric infections and ulcerative colitis while tryptophan (TRP) is a biomarker of malnutrition, and its supplementation can alleviate intestinal inflammation and normalize intestinal microbiota in malnourished hosts. Supplementation of EcN + TRP to malnourished humanized gnotobiotic piglets enhanced immune responses and resulted in greater protection against HRV infection and diarrhea.