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Characterization of Citrobacter diversus strains causing neonatal meningitis
M W Kline1, E O Mason, S L Kaplan
1Myers-Black Section of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.
Abstract:
We studied 17 strains of Citrobacter diversus isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid of infants with meningitis and compared these strains with 21 strains isolated from other body sites. The two groups of strains were similar with respect to biotype, piliation, hemolysin production, and resistance to the killing effects of serum. By using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, we found that 14 (82%) of 17 strains from cerebrospinal fluid, but only two (10%) of 21 strains isolated from other body sites, possessed a minor outer membrane protein with a molecular weight of 32,000 (P less than .0001). This protein may serve as a marker for strains of C. diversus that are likely to cause meningitis or brain abscess in human neonates.
Insights
A specific outer membrane protein may indicate Citrobacter diversus strains causing infant meningitis. This finding aids in identifying bacterial meningitis and brain abscess risks in neonates.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Neonatal infectious diseases
- Bacterial pathogenesis
Background:
- Citrobacter diversus is a known cause of meningitis and brain abscesses in neonates.
- Identifying specific bacterial virulence factors is crucial for understanding and treating neonatal infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify potential markers distinguishing Citrobacter diversus strains causing meningitis in infants from those isolated from other body sites.
- To investigate the role of outer membrane proteins in the pathogenicity of C. diversus.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of Citrobacter diversus strains isolated from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and other body sites.
- Biotype, piliation, hemolysin production, and serum resistance assays.
- Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) to analyze outer membrane proteins.
Main Results:
- No significant differences were observed in biotype, piliation, hemolysin production, or serum resistance between CSF and other body site isolates.
- A 32,000 molecular weight outer membrane protein was present in 82% of CSF strains but only 10% of other body site strains (P < .0001).
Conclusions:
- The 32,000 MW outer membrane protein is a potential marker for Citrobacter diversus strains associated with neonatal meningitis.
- This protein may be a key factor in the pathogenesis of C. diversus-induced meningitis and brain abscess in neonates.