Recently,Providenciaspp. which have been detected in patients with gastroenteritis, and similar to enterohemorrhagicEscherichia coli.O157 andSalmonellaspp., have been attracting attention as causative agents of food poisoning. For children with low immunity, food poisoning can be lethal as it causes severe symptoms such as diarrhea and dehydration, so clarifying the source of infection and pathogenic factors ofProvidenciaspp., and establishing preventive methods are urgent issues worldwide.

A joint research group led by Professor Shinji Yamasaki, Dr. Sharda Prasad Awasthi, a Specially Appointed Lecturer, and graduate student Jayedul Hassan from the Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Osaka Metropolitan University, determined how the pathogenic genes in someProvidenciaspp. such asProvidencia alcalifaciensand Providencia rustigianiiare transferred within bacterial cells of genusProvidencia. The group has also elucidated that the pathogenic genes ofProvidencia rustigianiiare also transferred to other bacterial cells belonging toEnterobacteriaceae.

Professor Yamasaki concluded, "This achievement is expected to provide new insights into the identification of infection routes ofProvidenciaspp. and the establishment of preventive methods for food poisoning."