The QS regulator AphB promotes expression of the AHPND PirA and PirB toxins and may enhance virulence under acidic conditions.

Shrimp acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) is one of the most devastating diseases to impact the global shrimp farming industry, with a mortality rate of 70 %-100 %. The key virulence factors are a pair of Photorhabdus insect-related (Pir)-like toxins, PirA and PirB. In this study, by using an in vitro transcription and translation assay, we first confirmed that the quorum sensing transcriptional regulator AphB could trigger the expression of its downstream genes after binding to the AphB binding sequence in the promoter region of the pirA/pirB operon.

Lactobacillus pentosus strain LPS16 produces lactic acid, inhibiting multidrug-resistant Helicobacter pylori.

Background/purpose: Helicobacter pylori is a human gastric pathogen. Antibiotic resistance of H. pylori has become a problem increasing the failure of H.