Opinion ID: 209563
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Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Antibodies and Shiga-Like Toxin II

Text: Antibodies are molecules central to the operation of the immune system. Antibodies bind to antigens, i.e., substances in a body that the body considers foreign. The binding portion of an antibody is complementary in shape and charge to the portion of the antigen to which the antibody binds. Antibodies have been used to develop treatments for various diseases. Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a common bacterium that often lives in the intestinal tract of a variety of mammals, including humans. Some E. coli secrete SLT-II, which then can cause damage independently of the E. coli bacterium. E. coli that produce SLT-II can live in a variety of different animals, but SLT-II-producing E. coli have a more detrimental effect on some animals than on others. SLT-II-producing E. coli make holes in the intestines of humans and pigs, but not other animals. These intestinal holes allow SLT-II to pass out of human and pig intestines and into systemic circulation, making SLT-II particularly dangerous to pigs and humans. In humans, SLT-II-producing E. coli can cause hemolytic uremic syndrome, a disease which is fatal in some cases. 2008-1119 2