Open AccessA toxic shock syndrome toxin mutant of Staphylococcus aureus isolated by allelic replacement lacks virulence in a rabbit uterine model
Author(s) -
Sloane Rhona,
Azavedo Joyce C.S.,
Arbuthnott John P.,
Hartigan Patrick J.,
Kreiswirth Barry,
Novick Richard,
Foster Timothy J.
Publication year - 1991
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/j.1574-6968.1991.tb04449.x
Subject(s) - virulence , staphylococcus aureus , toxic shock syndrome , mutant , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , toxin , plasmid , allele , strain (injury) , gene , genetics , bacteria , anatomy
Summary The gene coding for toxic shock syndrome toxin‐1 in S. aureus was inactivated by allelic replacement in two TSS‐associated strains. One mutant derived from FRI1169 (a non‐enterotoxigenic strain) lacked virulence in the rabbit uterine chamber infection model. This suggests that TSST‐1 is the only determinant produced by this strain that can induce the symptoms of shock in rabbits. A novel method for allelic replacement involving transduction of plasmid integrants is described.