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[The conjugative transfer of beta-hemolysin plasmid in Enterococcus faecalis to Enterococcus faecium]
1Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Toho University.
Summary
The beta-hemolysin plasmid from Enterococcus faecalis can transfer to Enterococcus faecium via conjugation. This transfer enhances E. faecalis virulence but not E. faecium virulence in mice, suggesting beta-hemolysin is key to E. faecalis pathogenicity.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genetics
- Bacterial Pathogenesis
Context:
- Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium are opportunistic pathogens.
- Bacterial conjugation is a key mechanism for horizontal gene transfer.
- Beta-hemolysin is a virulence factor in some Gram-positive bacteria.
Purpose:
- To investigate the conjugative transfer of beta-hemolysin plasmids between Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium.
- To assess the impact of beta-hemolysin transfer on the virulence of recipient strains in a murine model.
Summary:
- Conjugative transfer of beta-hemolysin plasmids from Enterococcus faecalis to Enterococcus faecium was achieved using filter mating.
- Transconjugation was successful in two specific strain combinations.
- Virulence studies in mice showed increased pathogenicity in Enterococcus faecalis transconjugants but not in Enterococcus faecium transconjugants.
Impact:
- Demonstrates the functional transfer of a virulence plasmid between distinct Enterococcus species.
- Suggests that beta-hemolysin contributes to the pathogenicity of Enterococcus faecalis in mice.
- Indicates that beta-hemolysin does not enhance the virulence of Enterococcus faecium in the same model, possibly due to differences in expression or activity.