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Zhang G, Liu J, He Y, Du Y, Xu L, Chen T, Guo Y, Fu H, Li A, Tian Y, Hu Y, Yang C, Lu M, Deng X, Wang J, Lu N. Modifying Escherichia coli to mimic Shigella for medical microbiology laboratory teaching: a new strategy to improve biosafety in class. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1257361. [PMID: 37780843 PMCID: PMC10533986 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1257361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Laboratory teaching of medical microbiology involves highly pathogenic microorganisms, thus posing potential biosafety risks to the students and the teacher. To address these risks, non/low-pathogenic microorganisms were modified to mimic highly pathogenic ones or highly pathogenic microorganisms were attenuated directly using the CRISPR/Cas9 technology. This study describes the modification of Escherichia coli DH5α to mimic Shigella and its evaluation as a safe alternative for medical laboratory teaching. Methods To generate E. coli DH5α△FliC△tnaA2a, the tnaA and FliC genes in E. coli DH5α were knocked out using CRISPR/Cas9 technology; a plasmid bearing the O-antigen determinant of S. flexneri 2a was then constructed and transformed. Acid tolerance assays and guinea pig eye tests were used to assess the viability and pathogenicity, respectively. Questionnaires were used to analyze teaching effectiveness and the opinions of teachers and students. Results The survey revealed that most teachers and students were inclined towards real-time laboratory classes than virtual classes or observation of plastic specimens. However, many students did not abide by the safety regulations, and most encountered potential biosafety hazards in the laboratory. E. coli DH5α△FliC△tnaA2a was biochemically and antigenically analogous to S. flexneri 2a and had lower resistance to acid than E. coli. There was no toxicity observed in guinea pigs. Most of teachers and students were unable to distinguish E. coli DH5α△FliC△tnaA2a from pure S. flexneri 2a in class. Students who used E. coli DH5α△FliC△tnaA2a in their practice had similar performance in simulated examinations compared to students who used real S. flexneri 2a, but significantly higher than the virtual experimental group. Discussion This approach can be applied to other high-risk pathogenic microorganisms to reduce the potential biosafety risks in medical laboratory-based teaching and provide a new strategy for the development of experimental materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangyuan Zhang
- Chongqing Medical University, Basic Medical School, Department of Pathogen Biology, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Medical University, Pathogen Biology and Immunology Laboratory and Laboratory of Tissue and Cell Biology, Experimental Teaching and Management Center, Chongqing, China
| | - Jia Liu
- Chongqing Medical University, Pathogen Biology and Immunology Laboratory and Laboratory of Tissue and Cell Biology, Experimental Teaching and Management Center, Chongqing, China
| | - Yonglin He
- Chongqing Medical University, Basic Medical School, Department of Pathogen Biology, Chongqing, China
| | - Yuheng Du
- Department for Rehabilitation Medicine, The Second College of Clinical Medicine of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lei Xu
- Chongqing Medical University, Basic Medical School, Department of Pathogen Biology, Chongqing, China
| | - Tingting Chen
- Chongqing Medical University, Pathogen Biology and Immunology Laboratory and Laboratory of Tissue and Cell Biology, Experimental Teaching and Management Center, Chongqing, China
| | - Yanan Guo
- Chongqing Medical University, International Medical College, Chongqing, China
| | - Huichao Fu
- Chongqing Medical University, Basic Medical School, Department of Pathogen Biology, Chongqing, China
| | - Anlong Li
- Chongqing Medical University, Basic Medical School, Department of Pathogen Biology, Chongqing, China
| | - Yunbo Tian
- Chongqing Blood Center, Quality Management Section, Chongqing, China
| | - Yan Hu
- Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory, Chongqing Tuberculosis Control Institute, Chongqing, China
| | - Chun Yang
- Chongqing Medical University, Basic Medical School, Department of Pathogen Biology, Chongqing, China
| | - Mingqi Lu
- Chongqing Medical University, Pathogen Biology and Immunology Laboratory and Laboratory of Tissue and Cell Biology, Experimental Teaching and Management Center, Chongqing, China
| | - Xichuan Deng
- Chongqing Medical University, Pathogen Biology and Immunology Laboratory and Laboratory of Tissue and Cell Biology, Experimental Teaching and Management Center, Chongqing, China
| | - Jingsong Wang
- R&D Department, Chongqing Kebilong Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Chongqing, China
| | - Nan Lu
- Chongqing Medical University, Basic Medical School, Department of Pathogen Biology, Chongqing, China
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