Open AccessComparison of in vivo and in vitro properties of capsulated and noncapsulated variants of M ycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides strain A fadé: a potential new insight into the biology of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia
Author(s) -
Gaurivaud Patrice,
Lakhdar Latifa,
Le Grand Dominique,
Poumarat François,
Tardy Florence
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/1574-6968.12579
Subject(s) - mycoplasma mycoides , biology , in vivo , microbiology and biotechnology , virulence , strain (injury) , in vitro , population , mollicutes , secretion , gene , mycoplasma , genetics , biochemistry , anatomy , demography , sociology
Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides ( Mmm ) strain Afadé had previously been shown to undergo spontaneous phase variations between an opaque capsulated variant and a translucent ( TR ) variant devoid of a capsule but able to secrete cell‐free exopolysaccharides. This phase variation is associated with an ON / OFF genetic switch in a glucose permease gene. In this study, in vivo and in vitro assays were conducted to compare the virulence of the two variants and their abilities to resist host defence. Capsulated variants were shown, in a mouse model, to induce longer bacteraemia that was correlated with better serum resistance in vitro . In contrast, TR variants displayed better ability to adhere to an inert support, linked to the absence of a capsule, changes in cell surface hydrophobicity and increased resistance to antimicrobial peptide and hydrogen peroxide. The switch from one variant population to another, which was observed both in vivo and in vitro under stress conditions , is further discussed as a means for Mmm to modulate its interactions with animal hosts during different stages of the disease.