Analysis of Host Specificity in Salmonella Enterica Serovars Typhi and Typhimurium

Thierauf, Anne Marie

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Description

Title

Analysis of Host Specificity in Salmonella Enterica Serovars Typhi and Typhimurium

Author(s)

Thierauf, Anne Marie

Issue Date

2003

Doctoral Committee Chair(s)

Stanley Maloy

Department of Study

Microbiology

Discipline

Microbiology

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Degree Level

Dissertation

Keyword(s)

Biology, Microbiology

Language

eng

Abstract

I designed a conjugal system that permits transfer of chromosomal DNA between different serovars of Salmonella in order to create genetic hybrids. Using the conserved 16S rRNA gene from Salmonella as a portable region of homology, I created high frequency of recombination (Hfr) conjugal donors that contain an origin of transfer within the various ribosomal RNA (rrn) operons on the chromosome. These donors permitted transfer of chromosomal DNA between Typhimurium and Typhi regardless of the genomic rearrangements, caused by recombination at the homologous rrn operons, frequently found in Typhi serovars. Genetic hybrids of a clinical isolate of Typhi containing fragments B, C, D, E & F, E & D, or F from Typhimurium did not cause severe systemic illness in mice and thus did not expand the Typhi host range. These results suggest that either genetic determinants responsible for mouse virulence are located on fragments A or G of the Typhimurium chromosome or that multiple fragment transfers, and thus multiple genes, are required to alter the host specificity of Typhi.

Graduation Semester

2003

Type of Resource

text

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