anthracis SterneΔ htrA strain secretes functional anthrax toxins but is 10–10 4-fold less virulent than the Sterne vaccine strain depending on animal model (mice, guinea pigs, or rabbits). Accordingly, htrA disruption was implemented for the development of a Sterne-derived safe live vaccine compatible with human use. Here we demonstrate that disrupting the htrA gene, encoding the chaperone/protease HtrA (High Temperature Requirement A), in the virulent Bacillus anthracis Vollum strain results in significant virulence attenuation in guinea pigs, rabbits and mice, underlying the universality of the attenuated phenotype associated with htrA knockout. Live attenuated vaccines, such as the nonencapsulated Sterne strain, do not meet the safety standards mandated for human use in the Western world and are approved for veterinary purposes only. Anthrax is a lethal disease caused by the gram-positive spore-producing bacterium Bacillus anthracis.
0 kommentar(er)
