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Production and characterization of two Streptococcus suis capsular type 2 mutants
M Gottschalk1, R Higgins, M Jacques
1Groupe de Recherche sur les Maladies Infectieuses du Porc. Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, St-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada.
Veterinary Microbiology
|January 1, 1992
Summary
A 44 kDa cell wall protein is crucial for Streptococcus suis virulence and immunogenicity. Loss of this protein in mutants M2 and M42 significantly reduced or eliminated virulence in mice.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Bacteriology
Background:
- Streptococcus suis capsular type 2 is a significant pathogen.
- Virulence factors of Streptococcus suis are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of a 44 kDa cell wall protein in Streptococcus suis capsular type 2 virulence and immunogenicity.
- To characterize avirulent mutants M2 and M42.
Main Methods:
- Serial subculturing and temperature passage to generate mutants.
- Serotyping, immunoelectron microscopy, SDS-PAGE, immunoblotting, and mouse challenge models.
- Detection of capsular and cell wall antigens using immunogold labeling.
Main Results:
- Mutant M2 lacked capsular antigen and the 44 kDa protein, showing total avirulence.
- Mutant M42 retained capsule but lacked the 44 kDa protein, exhibiting partial protection with antiserum.
- The 44 kDa protein was immunogenic and present in the virulent parent strain.
Conclusions:
- The 44 kDa cell wall protein is a key virulence factor for Streptococcus suis capsular type 2.
- This protein is also a significant immunogen, contributing to host protection.