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Unraveling Brucella Genomics and Pathogenesis in Immunocompromised IRF‐1 −/− Mice
Author(s) -
Rajashekara Gireesh,
Krepps Michael,
Eskra Linda,
Mathison Angela,
Montgomery Alison,
Ishii Yohei,
Splitter Gary
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
american journal of reproductive immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.071
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1600-0897
pISSN - 1046-7408
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0897.2005.00329.x
Subject(s) - brucella melitensis , brucella , biology , virulence , microbiology and biotechnology , brucellosis , transposon mutagenesis , genome , virology , gene , genetics , transposable element
Problem Brucellosis causes abortion in domestic animals and Malta fever in humans. Comparison of Brucella species genomes may reveal potential virulence mechanisms. Engineering bioluminescent Brucella would permit monitoring bacterial dissemination. Method of study Microarray of the B. melitensis genome allowed comparison of gene content from six Brucella species. Bioluminescent B. melitensis strains were developed using transposon mutagenesis permitting the study of pathogenic Brucella in mice. Monitoring bacterial dissemination as well as organ localization permits evaluating the role of genes and genomic islands in mutant bacteria. Results Comparative genomic analysis revealed 217 ORFs altered in five Brucella species and were often found in islands. Bioluminescent bacteria disseminated from the injection site to liver, spleen, inguinal lymph nodes, testes and submanibular region. Conclusions Genomic islands contribute to Brucella pathogenicity. Biophotonic imaging suggests that Brucella dissemination in mice parallels acute and chronic infections of humans.