The Enterococcus faecalis fsrB gene, a key component of the fsr quorum-sensing system, is associated with virulence in the rabbit endophthalmitis model.

TitleThe Enterococcus faecalis fsrB gene, a key component of the fsr quorum-sensing system, is associated with virulence in the rabbit endophthalmitis model.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2002
AuthorsMylonakis, E, Engelbert, M, Qin, X, Sifri, CD, Murray, BE, Ausubel, FM, Gilmore, MS, Calderwood, SB
JournalInfect Immun
Volume70
Issue8
Pagination4678-81
Date Published2002 Aug
ISSN0019-9567
KeywordsAnimals, Bacterial Proteins, Disease Models, Animal, Endophthalmitis, Enterococcus faecalis, Eye, Female, Genes, Bacterial, Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections, Rabbits, Retina, Virulence, Vision, Ocular
Abstract

We used a rabbit endophthalmitis model to explore the role of fsrB, a gene required for the function of the fsr quorum-sensing system of Enterococcus faecalis, in pathogenicity. A nonpolar deletion mutant of fsrB had significantly reduced virulence compared to wild type. Complementation of mutation restored virulence. These data corroborate the role of fsrB in E. faecalis pathogenesis and suggest that the rabbit endophthalmitis model can be used to study the in vivo role of quorum sensing.
DOI10.1128/IAI.70.8.4678-4681.2002
Alternate JournalInfect Immun
PubMed ID12117982
PubMed Central IDPMC128160
Grant ListP30 EY012190 / EY / NEI NIH HHS / United States
EY12190 / EY / NEI NIH HHS / United States
R01 AI047923 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States
AI47923 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States
EY08289 / EY / NEI NIH HHS / United States
R01 EY008289 / EY / NEI NIH HHS / United States
AI41108 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States
R01 AI041108 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States
R37 AI047923 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States