Virulence-associated plasmids in Rhodococcus equi.
Twenty-three strains of Rhodococcus equi from independent clinical cases were analyzed for the presence of virulence plasmid DNA. Of the clinical isolates, 19 contained an 85-kb plasmid and the remaining 4 contained a 90-kb plasmid. All of the isolates expressed 15- to 17-kDa antigens and were virulent in mice. Restriction enzyme and Southern blot analyses showed large regions of DNA homology between the 85- and 90-kb virulence plasmids. It was concluded tentatively that there are at least two virulence plasmids in R. equi and that they have a common origin.
Takai
S
S
Department of Animal Hygiene, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Kitasato University, Aomori, Japan.
Watanabe
Y
Y
Ikeda
T
T
Ozawa
T
T
Matsukura
S
S
Tamada
Y
Y
Tsubaki
S
S
Sekizaki
T
T
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000209:etiology; D000193:Actinomycetales Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D006736:Horses; D006801:Humans; D010957:Plasmids / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016929:Rhodococcus equi / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D014774:Virulence / Q000235:genetics