Invasion Assays and Genomotyping to Investigate Differences in Virulence of Campylobacter spp. Isolates from Iceland

Authors: AKINS, DEANN - UNIVERSITY OF GA; Hiett, Kelli; STINTZI, ALAIN - UNIV OF OTTAWA; Seal, Bruce; Stern, Norman; LOWMAN, RUFF - CANADIAN FOOD INSP AG; HARRISON, MARK - UNIVERSITY OF GA

Submitted to: Campylobacter Helicobacter and Related Organisms International Workshop
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/8/2007
Publication Date: 9/4/2007
Citation: Akins, D.E., Hiett, K.L., Stintzi, A., Seal, B.S., Stern, N.J., Lowman, R., Harrison, M.A. 2007. Invasion Assays and Genomotyping to Investigate Differences in Virulence of Campylobacter spp. Isolates from Iceland. Campylobacter Helicobacter and Related Organisms International Workshop.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Campylobacter spp. are the leading cause of human gastroenteritis worldwide. Epithelial cell invasion is thought to be essential for Campylobacter spp. infection. Previous invasion studies with intestinal epithelial cells revealed that the ability of different Campylobacter jejuni isolates to invade cultured cells was strain dependent. Additionally non-invasive strains were isolated from patients with noninflammatory disease, while invasive strains were isolated from patients with inflammatory diarrhea. These observations suggest that Campylobacter spp. isolates vary in their virulence properties and that virulence may be related to the ability to invade intestinal epithelial cells. In an effort to further investigate genetic variability (based on flaA SVR DNA sequence) and host specificity (humans, broilers, and breeders), 61 Campylobacter spp. isolates originally recovered from Iceland, (with well defined spatial and temporal backgrounds) were employed in epithelial cell invasion and adherence assays. Additionally, genomotype analysis using oligonucleotide microarrays specific for 11168(GS) and RM1221 were used to further investigate genetic variability. The information obtained should facilitate our understanding of genetic variability and factors involved in cell invasion, host specificity and virulence. 1) Initial microarray analysis demonstrated differences in gene content between Campylobacter spp. isolates 8559 and 11168(GS). Genes absent from Campylobacter spp. isolate 8559 relative to 11168(GS) and RM1221 included siderophore receptors, type I restriction/modification genes, various amino acid transporters, sugar transferases, and genes involved in LOS synthesis. 2) Isolation with variable genetic content also varied in epithelial cell invasion and adherence assays.