An interventional approach to block brain damage caused by Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli infection, by use of a combination of phosphodiesterase inhibitors.

We tested the combination of phosphodiesterase (PDE) 3 and PDE4 inhibitors as an interventional approach to prevent the development of brain damage after Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infection, using mice with protein calorie malnutrition. The combination consisted of pentoxifylline and rolipram; the dose of each inhibitor was 7.5 mg/kg.