Related Experiment Videos
Acquisition of new genes by oral Neisseria
Abstract:
It is suggested that part of the increased pharyngeal carriage of meningococci reported in patients with gonorrhoea is due to misidentification of gonococci which have been transformed to maltose fermenters by DNA from normal throat flora. The distribution of specific aminopeptidases in strains of gonococci, meningococci isolated from the throat and meningococci from systemic infections is consistent with this view. Gonococci oxidising maltose and gonococci with gamma-L-glutamyl aminopeptidase activity, both factors regarded as typical of Neisseria meningitidis, can be produced in vitro by transformation with DNA from N lactamica and N meningitidis. The clinical and theoretical implications of such changes are discussed.
Insights
Some Neisseria gonorrhoeae may be misidentified as Neisseria meningitidis due to DNA transformation. This transformation can alter gonococci to ferment maltose, a trait typically associated with meningococci.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Bacterial Genetics
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Pharyngeal carriage of Neisseria meningitidis is sometimes elevated in patients with Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections.
- The mechanisms behind this observed co-carriage require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential for Neisseria gonorrhoeae misidentification as Neisseria meningitidis.
- To explore the role of DNA transformation in altering bacterial characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of aminopeptidase activity in gonococci and meningococci strains.
- In vitro transformation experiments using DNA from related Neisseria species.
- Phenotypic characterization of transformed bacterial strains.
Main Results:
- Specific aminopeptidase profiles support the hypothesis of gonococcal transformation.
- Gonococci were successfully transformed in vitro to exhibit maltose fermentation and specific aminopeptidase activity, mimicking Neisseria meningitidis.
- Transformation was achieved using DNA from Neisseria lactamica and Neisseria meningitidis.
Conclusions:
- Bacterial DNA transformation can lead to the misidentification of Neisseria gonorrhoeae as Neisseria meningitidis.
- This phenomenon may contribute to the reported increase in pharyngeal meningococcal carriage in gonorrhoea patients.
- The findings have significant clinical and theoretical implications for bacterial identification and epidemiology.