virulence
Bacterial InfectionsLink between Heterotrophic Carbon Fixation and Virulence in the Porcine Lung Pathogen Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniaeActinobacillus pleuropneumoniae is a capnophilic pathogen of the porcine respiratory tract lacking enzymes of the oxidative branch of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. We previously claimed that A. pleuropneumoniae instead uses the reductive branch in order to generate energy and metabolites. Here...
Bacterial InfectionsNew Perspectives on Galleria mellonella Larvae as a Host Model Using Riemerella anatipestifer as a Proof of ConceptGalleria mellonella larvae have been used as a host model to study interactions between pathogens and hosts for several years. However, whether the model is useful to interrogate Riemerella anatipestifer infection biology remained unknown. This study aimed to exploit the potential of...
Molecular PathogenesisThe Second Messenger c-di-AMP Regulates Diverse Cellular Pathways Involved in Stress Response, Biofilm Formation, Cell Wall Homeostasis, SpeB Expression, and Virulence in Streptococcus pyogenesCyclic di-AMP (c-di-AMP) is a recently discovered second messenger in bacteria. The cellular level of c-di-AMP in Streptococcus pyogenes is predicted to be controlled by the synthase DacA and two putative phosphodiesterases, GdpP and Pde2.
Molecular Pathogenesis | SpotlightControl of Staphylococcus aureus Quorum Sensing by a Membrane-Embedded Peptidase...Gram-positive bacteria process and release small peptides, or pheromones, that act as signals for the induction of adaptive traits, including those involved in pathogenesis. One class of small signaling pheromones is the cyclic autoinducing peptides (AIPs), which regulate expression of genes that orchestrate virulence and persistence in a range of microbes, including staphylococci, listeriae, clostridia, and enterococci.
Fungal and Parasitic Infections | SpotlightThe Mouse Inhalation Model of Cryptococcus neoformans Infection Recapitulates Strain Virulence in Humans and Shows that Closely Related Strains Can Possess Differential VirulenceCryptococcal meningitis (CM) causes high rates of HIV-related mortality, yet the Cryptococcus factors influencing patient outcome are not well understood. Pathogen-specific traits, such as the strain genotype and degree of antigen shedding, are associated with the clinical outcome, but the underlying biology remains elusive.
Molecular PathogenesisStructural and Functional Insights into PpgL, a Metal-Independent β-Propeller Gluconolactonase That Contributes to Pseudomonas aeruginosa VirulenceBiofilm formation is a critical determinant in the pathopoiesis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It could significantly increase bacterial resistance to drugs and host defense.
Molecular PathogenesisContributions of TolC Orthologs to Francisella tularensis Schu S4 Multidrug Resistance, Modulation of Host Cell Responses, and VirulenceFrancisella tularensis is a Gram-negative, facultative intracellular pathogen and the causative agent of tularemia. Previous studies with the attenuated live vaccine strain (LVS) identified a role for the outer membrane protein TolC in modulation of host cell responses during infection and virulence in the mouse model of tularemia.
Bacterial InfectionsArtificial Selection for Pathogenicity Mutations in Staphylococcus aureus Identifies Novel Factors Relevant to Chronic InfectionAdaptation of Staphylococcus aureus to host microenvironments during chronic infection involves spontaneous mutations, yet changes underlying adaptive phenotypes remain incompletely explored. Here, we employed artificial selection and whole-genome sequencing to better characterize spontaneous chromosomal mutations that alter two pathogenicity phenotypes relevant to...
Molecular PathogenesisAtypical Hemolytic Listeria innocua Isolates Are Virulent, albeit Less than Listeria monocytogenesListeria innocua is considered a nonpathogenic Listeria species. Natural atypical hemolytic L. innocua isolates have been reported but have not been characterized in detail.
Bacterial InfectionsContribution of Active Iron Uptake to Acinetobacter baumannii PathogenicityAcinetobacter baumannii is an important nosocomial pathogen. Mechanisms that allow A. baumannii to cause human infection are still poorly understood.