A functional tonB gene is required for both virulence and competitive fitness in a chinchilla model of Haemophilus influenzae otitis media.
BACKGROUND
Haemophilus influenzae requires heme for aerobic growth and possesses multiple mechanisms to obtain this essential nutrient.


METHODS
An insertional mutation in tonB was constructed and the impact of the mutation on virulence and fitness in a chinchilla model of otitis media was determined. The tonB insertion mutant strain was significantly impacted in both virulence and fitness as compared to the wildtype strain in this model.


CONCLUSIONS
The tonB gene of H. influenzae is required for the establishment and maintenance of middle ear infection in this chinchilla model of bacterial disease.
Department of Pediatrics, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, 73104, USA. dmorton@ouhsc.edu
Daniel J
DJ
Morton
Randy J
RJ
Hempel
Thomas W
TW
Seale
Paul W
PW
Whitby
Terrence L
TL
Stull
D000818:Animals; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D002682:Chinchilla / Q000382:microbiology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005798:Genes, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics*; D056084:Genetic Fitness / Q000187:drug effects; D006192:Haemophilus Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D006193:Haemophilus influenzae / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006418:Heme / Q000494:pharmacology; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D014774:Virulence / Q000187:drug effects
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; C489182:tonB protein, Haemophilus influenzae; D006418:Heme