Mother-to-infant transmission of the carcinogenic colibactin-producing bacteria

Abstract While colibactin-producing Escherichia coli is linked to colorectal oncogenesis, its infection route remains poorly characterized. Here, analysis of fecal samples of infants over the first month of birth for the presence of a colibactin biosynthetic gene revealed that the bacterium may be transmitted from mother to infant through intimate contacts, such as natural childbirth and breastfeeding. This finding suggests the possibility of developing early preventive measures against colorectal cancer.