Genomic diversity of two lineages of exfoliative toxin A-converting phages predominating in Staphylococcus aureus strains in Czech Republic
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2010 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | Research in Microbiology |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Web | http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.resmic.2010.03.008 |
| Field | Genetics and molecular biology |
| Keywords | Staphylococcus aureus; Exfoliative toxin A; Phage conversion; Virion proteins; Genome sequences |
| Description | We have isolated and characterized two distinct types of exfoliative toxin A (ETA) converting bacteriophages originated from the S. aureus strains responsible for massive outbreaks of pemphigus neonatorum in the Czech Republic. Three induced phages designated as phiB531, phiB557 and phiB122, were found to be capable of transferring the eta gene into the prophageless non-toxigenic S. aureus strain, and converting it into an ETA producer. Comparisons of the phage sequences derived from 12 selected genes and 2 genomic segments (polymorphic P2 and conserved C4) revealed that phiB531 and phiB557 were identical each other, but phiB122 differed from them in five gene sequences, the xis gene content, and virion protein profile. Thus, phiB122 represents a new type of still undescribed ETA converting phage. This study has highlighted not only the conclusive genomic diversity of eta gene-positive phages but also their virulence implications in impetigo S. aureus strains. |
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