Open AccessCapsule genes of Streptococcus pneumoniae influence growth in vitro
Author(s) -
Bättig Patrick,
Mühlemann Kathrin
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
fems immunology & medical microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1574-695X
pISSN - 0928-8244
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-695x.2007.00246.x
Subject(s) - streptococcus pneumoniae , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , capsule , operon , strain (injury) , in vitro , streptococcaceae , bacterial capsule , pneumococcal infections , bacterial growth , mutant , gene , bacteria , genetics , antibiotics , virulence , anatomy , botany
Recently, we showed that the in vitro lag phase correlates with the pneumococcal serotype. This study investigated the role of capsule genes in bacterial growth using strain D39. Deletion of the entire capsule operon induced a significantly prolonged lag phase in Todd Hewitt broth ( P =0.0002). However, partial deletions showed a different influence on the lag phase. Supplementation of media with 5% fetal bovine serum restored normal growth, at least partially, in mutants with a prolonged lag phase. Therefore, pneumococcal capsule gene products influence bacterial growth in vitro in strain D39.