Open AccessVirulence‐associated characteristics and phage lysogenicity of two morphologically distinct colonies of Vibrio cholerae O139 serogroup
Author(s) -
Smirnova Nina I.,
Chekhovskaya Galina V.,
Davidova Natalia I.,
Livanova Ludmila F.,
Yeroshenko Galina A.
Publication year - 1996
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.1574-6968.1996.tb08045.x
Subject(s) - virulence , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , pilus , temperateness , lysogenic cycle , proteases , vibrionaceae , bacteriophage , strain (injury) , vibrio cholerae , virology , bacteria , gene , genetics , escherichia coli , enzyme , biochemistry , anatomy
The presence of a temperate phage was demonstrated in a strain of Vibrio cholerae O139 isolated from a patient. Spontaneous variants with translucent colonies had lost this phage. The loss of the phage was associated with increased hydrophobicity, indicating the loss of the capsule. These clones were sensitive to serum bactericidal activity, showed decreased expression of such presumed virulence factors as proteases, motility and mannose‐sensitive pili. Furthermore, excision of the phage made the strain dependent on purines for growth.