Plasmids of human strains of Yersinia enterocolitica: molecular relatedness and possible importance for pathogenesis.
One-hundred fifteen strain of Yersinia enterocolitica were examined for plasmids and plasmid-mediated pathogenic properties. Human strains of serotypes O:3 and O:9 harbored plasmids of 46 and 44 megadaltons, respectively, with 90% homology of DNA sequences. The plasmid-mediated properties were calcium dependence, survival in human serum, conjunctivitis provocation in guinea pigs, and O agglutinogens. One strains of serotype O:8 harbored a 42-megadalton plasmid with 75% sequence homology with plasmids of serotypes O:3 and O:9. An additional plasmid-mediated property was lethality for white mice. Filter hybridization of restriction endonuclease-digested plasmid DNA indicated that a 5.6-megadalton fragment of the plasmid of serotype O:8 had virtually no sequence homology with plasmid DNA of serotypes O:3 and O:9 and therefore may be associated with the lethal factor for mice.
D000373:Agglutinins / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D005516:Food Microbiology; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D010957:Plasmids; D015008:Yersinia enterocolitica / Q000235:genetics* / Q000472:pathogenicity
D000373:Agglutinins; D004269:DNA, Bacterial