Characterization of Klebsiella pneumoniae type 1 fimbriae by detection of phase variation during colonization and infection and impact on virulence.

ABSTRACT: Klebsiella pneumoniae is recognized as an important gram-negative opportunistic pathogen. The ability of bacteria to adhere to host structures is considered essential for the development of infections; however, few studies have examined the influence of adhesion factors on K. pneumoniae virulence. In this study, we cloned and characterized the type 1 fimbria gene cluster of a clinical K. pneumoniae isolate. Although this cluster was not identical to the Escherichia coli type 1 fimbria gene cluster, an overall high degree of structural resemblance was demonstrated. Unique to the K. pneumoniae fim gene cluster is the fimK gene, whose product contains an EAL domain, suggesting that it has a role in regulation of fimbrial expression. Like expression of type 1 fimbriae in E. coli, expression of

SUBMITTER: Struve C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2519443 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature