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Frequency and rate of pilin antigenic variation of Neisseria meningitidis

R Allen Helm1, H Steven Seifert

  • 1Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 303 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.

Journal of Bacteriology
|May 18, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Pilin antigenic variation (Av) rates were measured in Neisseria meningitidis strains. Strain MC58 showed moderate Av, while strain FAM18 exhibited no detectable pilin Av.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Neisseria meningitidis causes meningitis and sepsis.
  • Pilin antigenic variation (Av) is a key mechanism for immune evasion in Neisseria species.
  • Understanding Av rates is crucial for vaccine development and disease control.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantify the rates of pilin antigenic variation (Av) in two strains of Neisseria meningitidis.
  • To compare the Av rates of Neisseria meningitidis with those of Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Main Methods:

  • Employed an unbiased DNA sequencing assay to accurately measure pilin Av rates.
  • Analyzed pilin Av in Neisseria meningitidis strains MC58 and FAM18.
  • Compared results with previously reported rates for Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains MS11 and FA1090.

Main Results:

  • Neisseria meningitidis strain MC58 exhibited pilin Av rates comparable to Neisseria gonorrhoeae strain MS11.
  • Strain MC58 showed lower pilin Av rates than Neisseria gonorrhoeae strain FA1090.
  • Pilin Av was not detectable in Neisseria meningitidis strain FAM18.

Conclusions:

  • Pilin Av rates vary significantly among Neisseria meningitidis strains.
  • The observed differences in Av rates may influence the pathogenic potential and immune evasion strategies of different strains.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the genetic and environmental factors controlling pilin Av in Neisseria meningitidis.

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