Shigella species variant Peristaltic contraction-Inhibiting Bacterium (Shigella sp. PIB) (Shigella sp. PIB)

Shigella sp. PIB is a specific bacterial isolate and variant of the Shigella genus that has been identified as a causative agent of intractable functional constipation (IFC) [4, 6, 10]. Unlike typical Shigella species associated with dysentery, this variant colonizes the human colon and produces high levels of docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), an omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid [4, 5, 6]. DPA acts as a potent signaling molecule that activates enteric nitrergic ganglia via the FFAR4 receptor, resulting in the overproduction of nitric oxide and subsequent relaxation of colonic smooth muscle, which severely inhibits peristaltic contraction [18]. The presence of Shigella sp. PIB and elevated fecal DPA levels serve as key diagnostic biomarkers for IFC [4, 10]. Therapeutic interventions currently focus on the use of strain-specific bacteriophages to selectively target and eliminate the bacterium from the gut microbiota, thereby reversing the constipation phenotype and restoring gastrointestinal motility [3, 6, 10].

Other names

Peristaltic contraction-inhibiting bacteriumPIBShigella variant PIB

Bacteriophage-mediated lysis and elimination of the Shigella sp. PIB strain from the gastrointestinal tract, leading to a reduction in microbially-produced docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) and restoration of normal colonic motility.