Related Experiment Videos
[Conversion of Bordetella parapertussis serovar through lysogeny produced by pertussis phages]
Abstract:
Bacteriophages from Bordetella pertussis were titrated on the indicator strain B. parapertussis 17903 by using standard soft agar techniques. Secondary growth, occasionally observed in some phage plaques, was isolated and transferred onto selective media. Judging from growth on these special media and microscopic examination the isolated clones consisted entirely of Bordetellae. Determination of the agglutinogen pattern of 160 of these clones revealed that 88% contained agglutinogen 1; 87.5% agglutinogen 14, and 80.1% agglutinogen 12 (Table 3). However, none of the strains expressed the agglutinogen pattern of either the phage donor or the recipient strain. The isolated clones were lysogenic as demonstrated by phage production and immunity against superinfection (95% of the clones).--Absorption of the monospecific antisera with whole cells from lysogenic strains resulted in a drastic decrease or even complete loss of specific antibodies towards those antigens identified by slide agglutination reactions (Table 4). Cross absorption experiments with antisera against B. pertussis, B. parapertussis and strain 73 1/7 and various strains of the genus Bordetella and with a number of lysogenic strains showing various agglutination patterns allowed the conclusion that the latter ones were serologically related to B. pertussis. The lysogenic strains completely absorbed antibodies against B. bronchiseptica, and those strains that carried the agglutinogen 14 also absorbed antibodies against, B. parapertussis (Table 5). In conclusion, these results support the necessity to revise the subdivision of the genus Bordetella into three species. A change of B. parapertussis to B. pertussis within the epidemiological processes is considered.
Insights
Bacteriophages infecting Bordetella pertussis yielded lysogenic Bordetella strains. These strains exhibit serological relationships to Bordetella pertussis, suggesting a revision of Bordetella species classification.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Bacteriology
- Virology
Context:
- Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria.
- Bordetella pertussis is a bacterium that causes whooping cough.
- Lysogenic strains of bacteria harbor bacteriophages within their genomes.
Purpose:
- To investigate the characteristics of bacteriophages isolated from Bordetella pertussis.
- To determine the serological relationships of Bordetella strains isolated through phage-lysogenization.
- To assess the potential for revising the classification of Bordetella species.
Summary:
- Bacteriophages from Bordetella pertussis were used to infect Bordetella parapertussis, resulting in the isolation of lysogenic Bordetella clones.
- These isolated clones predominantly expressed agglutinogens 1, 14, and 12, and were immune to superinfection.
- Serological analysis through cross-absorption experiments indicated that these lysogenic strains are related to Bordetella pertussis, with some cross-reactivity to Bordetella parapertussis and Bordetella bronchiseptica.
Impact:
- The findings support the re-evaluation of the current subdivision of the genus Bordetella.
- Suggests a potential epidemiological link and reclassification between Bordetella parapertussis and Bordetella pertussis.
- Highlights the utility of bacteriophages in bacterial strain characterization and taxonomy.