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Published on: December 23, 2022
Virulence determinants of the emerging pathogen Kingella kingae
Vanessa L Muñoz1, Eric A Porsch2, Joseph W St Geme1
1The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA; University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Kingella kingae, a common cause of invasive infections in children, uses pili, adhesins, and capsules for bacterial adherence and survival. Understanding these virulence factors aids in combating pediatric osteoarticular infections.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Kingella kingae is increasingly recognized as a significant cause of invasive infections, particularly osteoarticular infections, in young children.
- This gram-negative coccobacillus is typically a commensal organism of the oropharynx.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the determinants of Kingella kingae pathogenicity.
- To elucidate the novel mechanisms of bacterial adherence and resistance to host defenses.
Main Methods:
- Investigated the roles of type IV pili, a non-pilus adhesin, and a polysaccharide capsule in bacterial adherence.
- Examined the mechanisms of resistance to serum and neutrophil killing, involving polysaccharide capsule and exopolysaccharide functions.
Main Results:
- Revealed a novel model of adherence involving the interplay of type IV pili, a non-pilus adhesin, and a polysaccharide capsule.
- Identified a novel model of resistance to host immune defenses through complementary functions of capsule and exopolysaccharide.
Conclusions:
- The findings provide insights into the pathogenesis of Kingella kingae infections.
- The characterized adherence and resistance models may be applicable to other bacterial pathogens.
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