virulence factors
Host-Associated Microbial CommunitiesA Role of Epithelial Cells and Virulence Factors in Biofilm Formation by Streptococcus pyogenes In VitroBiofilm formation by Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus [GAS]) in model systems mimicking the respiratory tract is poorly documented. Most studies have been conducted on abiotic surfaces, which poorly represent human tissues. We have previously shown that GAS forms mature and antibiotic-resistant biofilms on physiologically relevant epithelial cells....
Host Response and Inflammation | SpotlightGroup A Streptococcus Infection of the Nasopharynx Requires Proinflammatory Signaling through the Interleukin-1 ReceptorGroup A Streptococcus (GAS) is the etiologic agent of numerous high-morbidity and high-mortality diseases. Infections are typically highly proinflammatory. During the invasive infection necrotizing fasciitis, this is in part due to the GAS protease SpeB directly activating interleukin-1β (IL-1β) independent of the canonical inflammasome pathway. The upper respiratory tract is the primary site for GAS colonization, infection,...
Molecular PathogenesisVibrio cholerae OmpR Contributes to Virulence Repression and Fitness at Alkaline pHVibrio cholerae is a Gram-negative human pathogen and the causative agent of the life-threatening disease cholera. V. cholerae is a natural inhabitant of marine environments and enters humans through the consumption of contaminated food or water. The ability to transition between aquatic ecosystems...
Molecular PathogenesisEirA Is a Novel Protein Essential for Intracellular Replication of Coxiella burnetiiThe zoonotic bacterial pathogen Coxiella burnetii is the causative agent of Q fever, a febrile illness which can cause a serious chronic infection. C. burnetii is a unique intracellular bacterium which replicates within host lysosome-derived vacuoles. The ability of...
Cellular Microbiology: Pathogen-Host Cell Molecular InteractionsThe Distinct Immune-Stimulatory Capacities of Porphyromonas gingivalis Strains 381 and ATCC 33277 Are Determined by the fimB Allele and Gingipain ActivityThe Porphyromonas gingivalis strain ATCC 33277 (33277) and 381 genomes are nearly identical. However, strain 33277 displays a significantly diminished capacity to stimulate host cell Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2)-dependent signaling and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) production relative to 381, suggesting that there are strain-specific differences in one or more bacterial...
Fungal and Parasitic InfectionsEntamoeba histolytica Interaction with Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli Increases Parasite Virulence and Inflammation in AmebiasisEpidemiological studies suggest frequent association of enteropathogenic bacteria with Entamoeba histolytica during symptomatic infection. In this study, we sought to determine if the interaction with enteropathogenic (EPEC) or nonpathogenic Escherichia coli (strain DH5α) could modify the virulence...
Fungal and Parasitic Infections | SpotlightTalaromyces marneffei Mp1 Protein, a Novel Virulence Factor, Carries Two Arachidonic Acid-Binding Domains To Suppress Inflammatory Responses in HostsTalaromyces marneffei infection causes talaromycosis (previously known as penicilliosis), a very important opportunistic systematic mycosis in immunocompromised patients. Different virulence mechanisms in T. marneffei have been proposed and investigated.