Cronobacter sakazakii induced sepsis-associated arrhythmias through its outer membrane vesicles.

Sepsis-induced arrhythmia, linked to sudden cardiac death, is associated with gut microbiota, though the exact relationship is unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between Cronobacter sakazakii ( C. sakazakii ) and arrhythmia. The relative abundance of C. sakazakii was increased in cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced septic mice. Live C. sakazakii , supernatant, and outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) resulted in premature ventricular beat (PVB), sinus arrhythmia (SA), and increased arrhythmia and mortality in sepsis model through dysregulated ion channel proteins. Moreover, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) showed antibacterial effects in vitro . We confirmed sodium acetate (C2) and sodium butyrate (C4) protect from C. sakazakii -induced arrhythmia, and C2 and C4 protected from septic arrhythmia by activating free fatty acid receptor 2 and 3 (FFAR2 and FFAR3) in mice. These findings point to how C. sakazakii 's OMVs trigger arrhythmia, and SCFAs may be a treatment for septic arrhythmia.