Differential infection properties of three inducible prophages from an epidemic strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most common bacterial pathogen infecting the lungs of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). The Liverpool Epidemic Strain (LES) is transmissible, capable of superseding other P. aeruginosa populations and is associated with increased morbidity. Previously, multiple inducible prophages have been found to coexist in the LES chromosome and to constitute a major component of the accessory genome not found in other sequenced P. aerugionosa strains. LES phages confer a competitive advantage in a rat model of chronic lung infection and may, therefore underpin LES prevalence. Here the infective properties of three LES phages were characterised.

Results

This study focuses on three of the five active prophages (LESφ2, LESφ3 and LESφ4) that are me

SUBMITTER: James CE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3544612 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature