Open AccessVariations in lethal toxin and cholesterol‐dependent cytolysin production correspond to differences in cytotoxicity among strains of Clostridium sordellii
Author(s) -
Voth Daniel E.,
Martinez Octavio V.,
Ballard Jimmy D.
Publication year - 2006
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.1574-6968.2006.00287.x
Subject(s) - cytolysin , cytotoxicity , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , toxin , virulence , pathogen , strain (injury) , clostridium , virulence factor , virology , bacteria , in vitro , gene , genetics , anatomy
Clostridium sordellii is an emerging human pathogen and frequent contaminant of cadaver‐derived tissue transplant material. Herein, we provide data suggesting the potential for severe C. sordellii ‐associated disease may be dictated by whether the specific strain produces lethal toxin (TcsL) or sordellilysin (SDL), a cholesterol‐dependent cytolysin. The virulence factor profiles of 14 C. sordellii isolates were determined, and culture supernatant from six of the isolates was found to be cytotoxic to mammalian cells; yet, only one of these strains conferred cytotoxicity via production of TcsL. Cytotoxicity of TcsL − strains correlated with the production of sordellilysin, which was also recognized by an antiperfringolysin O antibody. However, supernatant from TcsL + , SDL − strains demonstrated a lower LD 50 relative to TcsL − , SDL + strains, suggesting the potential for severe C. sordellii ‐associated disease may be determined by the particular strain colonizing the host.