virulence
Molecular GenomicsGenomic, Phenotypic, and Virulence Analysis of Streptococcus sanguinis Oral and Infective-Endocarditis IsolatesStreptococcus sanguinis, an abundant and benign inhabitant of the oral cavity, is an important etiologic agent of infective endocarditis (IE), particularly in people with predisposing cardiac valvular damage. Although commonly isolated from patients with IE, little is known about the factors that make any particular...
MinireviewThe Evasive Enemy: Insights into the Virulence and Epidemiology of the Emerging Attaching and Effacing Pathogen Escherichia albertiiThe diarrheic attaching and effacing (A/E) pathogen Escherichia albertii was first isolated from infants in Bangladesh in 1991, although the bacterium was initially classified as Hafnia alvei. Subsequent genetic and biochemical interrogation of these isolates raised concerns about their initial...
Molecular PathogenesisIn Vivo Virulence Characterization of Pregnancy-Associated Listeria monocytogenes InfectionsListeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen that infects the placenta and can cause pregnancy complications. Listeriosis usually occurs as a sporadic infection, but large outbreaks are also reported.
Bacterial InfectionsYraP Contributes to Cell Envelope Integrity and Virulence of Salmonella enterica Serovar TyphimuriumMutations in σE-regulated lipoproteins have previously been shown to impact bacterial viability under conditions of stress and during in vivo infection. YraP is conserved across a number of Gram-negative pathogens, including Neisseria meningitidis, where the homolog is a component of the Bexsero meningococcal group B vaccine.
Molecular PathogenesisRocA Has Serotype-Specific Gene Regulatory and Pathogenesis Activities in Serotype M28 Group A StreptococcusSerotype M28 group A streptococcus (GAS) is a common cause of infections such as pharyngitis (“strep throat”) and necrotizing fasciitis (“flesh-eating” disease). Relatively little is known about the molecular mechanisms underpinning M28 GAS pathogenesis.
- Molecular PathogenesisIdentification of the Chromosomal Region Essential for Serovar-Specific Antigen and Virulence of Serovar 1 and 2 Strains of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae
Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae causes swine erysipelas, an infection characterized by acute septicemia or chronic endocarditis and polyarthritis. Among 17 E. rhusiopathiae serovars, determined based on heat-stable peptidoglycan antigens, serovars 1 and 2 are most commonly associated with the disease;...
- Fungal and Parasitic Infections | SpotlightCandida albicans Cannot Acquire Sufficient Ethanolamine from the Host To Support Virulence in the Absence of De Novo Phosphatidylethanolamine Synthesis
Candida albicans mutants for phosphatidylserine (PS) synthase (cho1ΔΔ) and PS decarboxylase (psd1ΔΔ psd2ΔΔ) are compromised for virulence in mouse models of systemic infection and oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC). Both of these enzymes are necessary to synthesize phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) by the de novo pathway, but these mutants...
- MinireviewGenome Variation and Molecular Epidemiology of Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium Pathovariants
Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium is one of approximately 2,500 distinct serovars of the genus Salmonella but is exceptional in its wide distribution in the environment, livestock, and wild animals. S.
- Molecular PathogenesisYopN Is Required for Efficient Effector Translocation and Virulence in Yersinia pseudotuberculosis
Type III secretion systems (T3SSs) are used by various Gram-negative pathogens to subvert the host defense by a host cell contact-dependent mechanism to secrete and translocate virulence effectors. While the effectors differ between pathogens and determine the pathogenic life style, the overall mechanism of secretion and translocation is conserved.
- Molecular PathogenesisThe Fructose-Specific Phosphotransferase System of Klebsiella pneumoniae Is Regulated by Global Regulator CRP and Linked to Virulence and Growth
Klebsiella pneumoniae is an opportunistic pathogen, and its hypervirulent variants cause serious invasive community-acquired infections. A genomic view of K. pneumoniae NTUH-2044 for the carbohydrate phosphotransferase system (PTS) found a putative fructose PTS, namely, the Frw PTS gene cluster....