1. Virulence of the emerging pathogen
- Author
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Samuel J, Willcocks, Carmen, Denman, Felipe, Cia, Elizabeth, McCarthy, Jon, Cuccui, and Brendan W, Wren
- Subjects
Mice, Inbred BALB C ,Burkholderia pseudomallei ,Virulence ,glycosylation ,Burkholderia ,Membrane Proteins ,oligosaccharyltransferase ,biochemical phenomena, metabolism, and nutrition ,bacterial infections and mycoses ,Article ,Disease Models, Animal ,Mice ,Bacterial Proteins ,Hexosyltransferases ,Melioidosis ,secretion system ,PglL ,bacteria ,Animals ,Humans ,Female - Abstract
Aim We sought to characterize the contribution of the O-OTase, PglL, to virulence in two Burkholderia spp. by comparing isogenic mutants in Burkholderia pseudomallei with the related species, Burkholderia thailandensis. Materials & methods We utilized an array of in vitro assays in addition to Galleria mellonella and murine in vivo models to assess virulence of the mutant and wild-type strains in each Burkholderia species. Results We found that pglL contributes to biofilm and twitching motility in both species. PglL uniquely affected morphology; cell invasion; intracellular motility; plaque formation and intergenus competition in B. pseudomallei. This mutant was attenuated in the murine model, and extended survival in a vaccine-challenge experiment. Conclusion Our data support a broad role for pglL in bacterial fitness and virulence, particularly in B. pseudomallei.
- Published
- 2020