The Role of Newly Discovered Exotoxin (S Toxin) in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infections
Abstract
Our long term goal is to determine the role to exotoxin S in humans infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and develop vaccines to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with these infections. Initial studies of S production in vitro and in vivo were completed. The incidence of toxin S production is being studied by clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa. The most intriguing observation has been that bacteremic patients infected with S producing strains have a much higher mortality rate (71%) compared to those infected with strains of P. aeruginosa that don't produce S (43% mortality rate) . We have tested the virulence of strain Ps 388 and a protease deficient mutant Ps 388-6 in four different animal models. Both Ps 388 and Ps 388-6 produce S but not toxin X. Both strains were virulent in the burned mouse model and a rabbit model which mimics localized skin infections. However both strains were avirulent in a mouse eye model and a neutropenic rabbit model. We have studied the assay condition used for measuring the enzymatic activity of S. Parameters investigated were pH, ionic strength, buffer composition, metal requirements and the effects of detergents.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1979
- Accession Number
- ADA139492
Entities
People
- Barbara H. Iglewski
- Michael R. Thompson
Organizations
- Oregon Health & Science University