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Cytotoxicity of Bacillus piliformis
L K Riley1, C J Caffrey, V S Musille
1Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Missouri, Columbia 65211.
Journal of Medical Microbiology
|July 1, 1992
Summary
Some B. piliformis isolates produce cytotoxic proteins, potentially contributing to Tyzzer
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Cell Biology
- Pathogenesis
Background:
- B. piliformis is the causative agent of Tyzzer's disease.
- The pathogenesis of Tyzzer's disease is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cytotoxic activity of B. piliformis isolates.
- To determine if cytotoxic proteins contribute to Tyzzer's disease.
Main Methods:
- Incubation of B. piliformis culture filtrates with BRL 3A rat-hepatocyte and 3T3 mouse-fibroblast cell lines.
- Characterization of cytotoxic products (molecular weight, heat stability, trypsin sensitivity).
Main Results:
- One isolate showed cytopathic effects on rat hepatocytes.
- Three isolates were cytotoxic to mouse fibroblasts.
- Cytotoxic products were heat-labile proteins >100 kDa.
Conclusions:
- B. piliformis isolates can produce cytotoxic proteins.
- These proteins may play a role in the pathogenesis of Tyzzer's disease.