Abstract
Exoenzyme S is an extracellular ADP-ribosyltransferase enzyme produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Mutants of Pseudomonas aeruginosa deficient in this enzyme have been shown to have reduced virulence in infections of burned mice. The contribution of exoenzyme S to the pathogenesis of chronic lung infections with this organism was evaluated by examining the incidence of exoenzyme S production by Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains isolated from cystic fibrosis patients and comparing an exoenzyme S deficient mutant and its exoenzyme S producing parent in a rat chronic lung infection model. Of 51 isolates examined, 43 % produced detectable levels of exoenzyme S. While both the exoenzyme S deficient mutant and its parent strain were equally capable of colonizing and persisting in rat lungs, the exoenzyme S producing parent elicited a greater degree of lung damage. These data suggest that exoenzyme S contributes to the pathogenesis of chronic lung infections.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 175-179 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | European Journal of Clinical Microbiology |
Volume | 4 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Apr 1985 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Microbiology
- Microbiology (medical)