Vibrio ecology and virulence Flashcards
Min. temperature for Vp
15 deg C
tdh and trh
thermostable direct hemolysin and thermostable related hemolysin, considered the major virulent factors for Vp
First used to test for Vp virulence on Wagatsuma agar in the 1970s
tdh and trh virulence (what they do–3 items)
lyse RBCs, cause cytotoxicity in cell culture, enterotoxins that cause diarrhea
Both genes exhibit similar biological activity
how similar are the aa sequences for trh and tdh?
trh is 67% homologous w/ tdh
have tdh and trh ever been isolated from E-strains?
Yes, though both genes are primarily associated with C-strains
Vp chromosome I size
3.3 gb (mostly housekeeping genes)
Vp chromosome II size
1.8 gb (more variable)
indicators of horizontal gene transfer on Vp chromosome II (4)
phage genes, transposons, mobile genetic elements (MGEs), interesting GC regions
all indicative of recent horizontal gene transfer
genes of interest in Vp pathogenicity island on chromosome II
TTSS gene sets (2), tdh (2 copies), + homologues to other well studied virulence factors
TTSS (type 3 secretion system) function
allows the transport of cytoplasmic proteins across the cell membrane
how many sets of TTSS does Vp have?
2 sets– TTSS1 and TTSS2
Each secretory system recognizes distinct proteins and is expressed under different conditions
Which TTSS is found in all Vp strains?
TTSS1
Which TTSS is found in only KP-positive strains?
TTSS2
Does Vc have a TTSS?
no; likely linked to the inflammatory response in Vp infection
YopD and VopD
Vp virulence factors
form holes in the host membranes and mediate the injection of effector proteins to disrupt immune defenses, excreted by TTSS1 ((Vop) and TTSS2 (Yop)
how many copies of T6SS (type 6 secretion system) does Vp have?
2– T6SS1 and T6SS2
which T6SS is more active under marine conditions for Vp and which chromosome is it located on?
T6SS1
chromosome I
which T6SS is more active under lower salinity conditions for Vp and which chromosome is it located on?
T6SS2
chromosome 2, only functions in adhesion not cytotoxicity
do non-pandemic strains of Vp have T6SS
only partial gene sets
MAM7 (multivalent adehesion molecule 7) function in Vp
host adhesion which can then lead to the upregulation of virulence factors, needed for TTSS-mediated cell death
how was toxR first identified?
as the regulatory gene for cholera toxin
how much homology is there between Vp and Vc toxR genes
Vp toxR aa sequence is 52% similar to Vc toxR
is toxR specific to C-type Vp?
No, tox R is also found in E-type Vp and other Vibrio species (though it is thought to be “perfectly” conserved in Vp)
(Kim et al. 1999)
what is the function of toxR?
part of the toxRS (toxR +toxS) operon that regulates “virulence-associated genes” including tdh
(Matsumoto et al. 2000)
Which Vp virulence factors are primarily associated w/ KP-pos strains?
tdh and trh
how many cases of Vv require hospitalization each year in the US?
50, responsible for 95% of seafood-related deaths
what is the fatality rate of Vv infection?
50-60%, up to 79% (parker et al. 1991)
how was Vv described prior to 1976?
“lactose positive” Vibrio (w/o gas), before being identified as a specis by the CDC in 1976
(15% of Vv are actually lac-; 15% are suc+)
Vv biotype 2
associated with infection of eels
all biotype 2 strains have the same LPS (serotype E), different type of LPS than biotype 1
Vv biotype 3
associated with Israeli wound infections (Bisharat et al. 1999)
all have vvha (like biotype 1), but vvha are all identical (unlike biotype 1)
what time of year are Vp and Vv infections most common
March-October, when waters are warmer
Optimum salinity range for Vv
5-10 ppt, up to 25 ppt (Blackwell and Oliver 2008)
Optimum salinity for Vp
23 ppt (10-34 ppt salinity range)
How many genomes of Vv +Vp have been completed?
~10
How many genes make up a TTSS?
20-30
How long does it take for a Vv infection to advance to primary septicemia?
Hours to days, 36h on average
What is the incubation period for a Vv wound infection?
3h to 8d
Vv capsule (CPS) function
anti-phagocytic
Is CPS importance for Vv virulence?
YES, it is essential.
What is th difference between transluscent and opaque strains of Vv?
Transluscent– no CPS, LD50>10^6-10^8 CFUs
Opaque– much more virulent; have CPS, LD50
How is CPS related to biofilm formation in Vv?
CPS+ strains are not as good at forming biofilms; possible reason E-strains (CPS-) do better in the environment than C-strains.