Expression of cytolethal distending toxin and hemolysin is not required for pustule formation by Haemophilus ducreyi in human volunteers.
Haemophilus ducreyi makes cytolethal distending toxin (CDT) and hemolysin. In a previous human challenge trial, an isogenic hemolysin-deficient mutant caused pustules with a rate similar to that of its parent. To test whether CDT was required for pustule formation, six human subjects were inoculated with a CDT mutant and parent at multiple sites. The pustule formation rates were similar at both parent and mutant sites. A CDT and hemolysin double mutant was constructed and tested in five additional subjects. The pustule formation rates were similar for the parent and double mutant. These results indicate that neither the expression of CDT, nor that of hemolysin, nor both are required for pustule formation by H. ducreyi in humans.
Young
R S
RS
Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, USA.
Fortney
K R
KR
Gelfanova
V
V
Phillips
C L
CL
Katz
B P
BP
Hood
A F
AF
Latimer
J L
JL
Munson
R S
RS
Hansen
E J
EJ
Spinola
S M
SM
D000328:Adult; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D002602:Chancroid / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006191:Haemophilus ducreyi / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006460:Hemolysin Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009154:Mutation
D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D006460:Hemolysin Proteins; C067044:cytolethal distending toxin