Role of exoenzyme S in chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infections

T. I. Nicas, D. W. Frank, P. Stenzel, J. D. Lile, B. H. Iglewski

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

52 Scopus citations

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 languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)175-179
Number of pages5
JournalEuropean Journal of Clinical Microbiology
Volume4
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 1985

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Microbiology
  • Microbiology (medical)

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