Pathogenicity and immunogenicity of a Listeria monocytogenes strain that requires D-alanine for growth.

ABSTRACT: Listeria monocytogenes is an intracellular bacterial pathogen that elicits a strong cellular immune response following infection and therefore has potential use as a vaccine vector. However, while infections by L. monocytogenes are fairly rare and can readily be controlled by a number of antibiotics, the organism can nevertheless cause meningitis and death, particularly in immunocompromised or pregnant patients. We therefore have endeavored to isolate a highly attenuated strain of this organism for use as a vaccine vector. D-Alanine is required for the synthesis of the mucopeptide component of the cell walls of virtually all bacteria and is found almost exclusively in the microbial world. We have found in L. monocytogenes two genes that control the synthesis of this compound, an alanine ra

SUBMITTER: Thompson RJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC108386 | biostudies-literature | 1998 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature