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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Genetic diversity and toxic activity of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans isolates

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Author(s):
Kawamoto, D. [1] ; Ando, E. S. [1] ; Longo, P. L. [1] ; Nunes, A. C. R. [1] ; Wikstrom, M. [2] ; Mayer, M. P. A. [1]
Total Authors: 6
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Biomed Sci, Dept Microbiol, BR-05508900 Sao Paulo - Brazil
[2] Univ Gothenburg, Dept Microbiol, Sch Dent, Gothenburg - Sweden
Total Affiliations: 2
Document type: Journal article
Source: Oral Microbiology and Immunology; v. 24, n. 6, p. 493-501, DEC 2009.
Web of Science Citations: 23
Abstract

Introduction: Very little is known of the diversity and expression of virulence factors of serotypes of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans. Toxic activity on Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and cdt and ltx genotyping were evaluated in A. actinomycetemcomitans serotypes. Methods: Forty-one A. actinomycetemcomitans isolates were analysed for CHO cell growth inhibition. Genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reactions specific to the ltx promoter region, serotype-specific and cdt region and by sequencing of cdtB. Results: cdtABC was detected in 40 strains. Analysis of the cdtA upstream region revealed 10 cdt genotypes. Toxicity to CHO cells was detected for 92.7% of the isolates; however, no correlation between the toxic activity and the cdt genotype was detected. Serotype c was more prevalent among Brazilian samples (68.0%). Four serotype b isolates from subjects with aggressive periodontitis were associated with high leukotoxin production and exhibited moderate to strong toxic activity in CHO cells, but were classified in different cdt genotypes. High levels of toxicity in CHO cells were not associated with a particular serotype; 57.1% of serotype a isolates presented low toxicity to CHO cells whereas the highly toxic strains belonged to serotypes b and c. Sequencing of cdtB revealed a single nucleotide polymorphism of amino acid 281 but this was not related to the toxic activity in CHO cells. Conclusion: Differences in prevalence of the low and highly cytotoxic strains among serotypes reinforce the hypothesis that serotype b and c isolates of A. actinomycetemcomitans are more virulent than serotype a strains. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 03/08598-0 - Virulence factors of A. actinomycetemcomitans: role in disease, expression regulation, diversity and immune response
Grantee:Marcia Pinto Alves Mayer
Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants