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

Infect Immun. 2002 Aug;70(8):4678-81. doi: 10.1128/IAI.70.8.4678-4681.2002.

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / physiology*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Endophthalmitis / microbiology*
  • Endophthalmitis / pathology
  • Endophthalmitis / physiopathology
  • Enterococcus faecalis / genetics
  • Enterococcus faecalis / growth & development
  • Enterococcus faecalis / pathogenicity*
  • Eye / microbiology
  • Eye / pathology
  • Female
  • Genes, Bacterial / physiology
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / microbiology*
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / pathology
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / physiopathology
  • Rabbits
  • Retina / physiopathology
  • Virulence
  • Vision, Ocular

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • FsrB protein, Enterococcus