Lewis Blood-group Antigens Are Associated With Altered Susceptibility to Shigellosis

In a cohort of infants, we found that lack of the Lewis histo-blood group antigen was associated with increased susceptibility to shigellosis. Broadly inhibiting fucosylation in epithelial cells in vitro decreased invasion by Shigella flexneri. These results support a role for fucosylated glycans in susceptibility to shigellosis.

Automated summary

The study revealed that infants lacking the Lewis histo-blood group antigen are more susceptible to shigellosis. Inhibition of fucosylation in epithelial cells in vitro was found to decrease invasion by Shigella flexneri, indicating a role for fucosylated glycans in susceptibility to shigellosis.