If the acquisition of virulence genes (VGs) for pathogenicity were not solely acquired through horizontal gene transfers of pathogenicity islands, transposons, and phages, then clonal clusters of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) would contain few or even none of the VGs found in strains responsible for extraintestinal infections. To evaluate this possibility, 47 postweaning diarrhea (PWD...

A total of 124 V cholerae non-O1/non-O139 isolates were collected in Khon Kaen, Thailand from diarrheal patients, asymptomatic carriers and environmental water. The presence of virulence-associated and regulatory genes including ctxA, tcpA, zot, ace, ompU, stn, hlyA and toxR) were examined using multiplex PCR. The genomic diversity of the various V. cholerae isolates were differentiated using t...

The histone-like nucleoid structuring protein (H-NS) functions as a transcriptional silencer by binding to AT-rich sequences at bacterial promoters. However, H-NS repression can be counteracted by other transcription factors in response to environmental changes. The identification of potential toxic factors, the expression of which is prevented by H-NS could facilitate the discovery of new regu...

Mycoplasma pulmonis is a natural rodent pathogen, considered a privileged model for studying respiratory mycoplasmosis. The complete genome of this bacterium, which belongs to the class Mollicutes, has recently been sequenced, but studying the role of specific genes requires improved genetic tools. In silico comparative analysis of sequenced mollicute genomes indicated the lack of conservation ...

AIMS The objective of this study was to determine the effect of lysozyme and antibiotics on zoonotic pathogen shedding in faeces from nursery pigs housed without and with an indirect disease challenge. METHODS AND RESULTS Two replicates of approximately 650 pigs each were weaned and randomly assigned to one of 24 pens in either a nursery room that had been fully disinfected or a nursery room ...

Bacteroides fragilis is the most frequent opportunistic pathogen isolated from anaerobic infections. However, there is a paucity of information regarding the genetic and molecular aspects of gene expression of its virulence factors during extra-intestinal infections. A potential virulence factor that has received little attention is the ability of B. fragilis to produce hemolysins. In this stud...

Listeria monocytogenes is of major concern in the fermented meat products and is able to persist in their processing environments. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the virulence profile and the persistence capacity of L. monocytogenes strains isolated in Sardinian fermented sausages processing plants. Food (ground meat, sausages at the end of acidification and ripening stage) and env...

BACKGROUND Coeliac disease is an immune-mediated enteropathology triggered by the ingestion of cereal gluten proteins. This disorder is associated with imbalances in the composition of the gut microbiota that could be involved in its pathogenesis. The aim of the present study was to determine whether intestinal Enterobacteriaceae populations of active and non-active coeliac patients and healthy...

David A. Wink,1 Katrina M. Miranda,2 Tatsuo Katori,3 Daniele Mancardi,1 Douglas D. Thomas,1 Lisa Ridnour,1 Michael G. Espey,1 Martin Feelisch,4 Carol A. Colton,5 Jon M. Fukuto,6 Pasquale Pagliaro,7 David A. Kass,3 and Nazareno Paolocci3 1Tumor Biology Section, Radiation Biology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892; 2Department of Chemistry, ...