Insights into mucosal innate responses to Escherichia coli O157: H7 colonization of cattle by mathematical modelling of excretion dynamics

Mathematical model-based statistical inference applied to within-host dynamics of infectious diseases can help dissect complex interactions between hosts and microbes. This work has applied advances in model-based inference to understand colonization of cattle by enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157 : H7 at the terminal rectum. A mathematical model was developed based on niche replication and transition rates at this site. A nested-model comparison, applied to excretion curves from 25 calves, was used to reduce complexity while maintaining integrity. We conclude that, 5-9 days post inoculation, the innate immune response negates bacterial replication on the epithelium and either reduces attachment to or increases detachment from the epithelium of the terminal rectum. Thus, we provide a broadly applicable model that gives novel insights into bacterial replication rates in vivo and the timing and impact of host responses.