Lysogenic Streptococcus suis isolate SS2-4 containing prophage SMP showed increased mortality in zebra fish compared to the wild-type isolate

PLoS One. 2013;8(1):e54227. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0054227. Epub 2013 Jan 10.

Abstract

Streptococcus suis (S. suis) infection is considered to be a major problem in the swine industry worldwide. Based on the capsular type, 33 serotypes of S. suis have been described, with serotype 2 (SS2) being the most frequently isolated from diseased piglets. Little is known, however, about the pathogenesis and virulence factors of S. suis. Research on bacteriophages highlights a new area in S. suis research. A S. suis serotype 2 bacteriophage, designated SMP, has been previously isolated in our laboratory. Here, we selected a lysogenic isolate in which the SMP phage was integrated into the chromosome of strain SS2-4. Compared to the wild-type isolate, the lysogenic strain showed increased mortality in zebra fish. Moreover the sensitivity of the lysogenic strain to lysozyme was seven times higher than that of the wild-type.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Lysogeny / genetics
  • Prophages / genetics
  • Prophages / pathogenicity*
  • Serotyping
  • Streptococcal Infections / genetics*
  • Streptococcal Infections / mortality
  • Streptococcal Infections / veterinary
  • Streptococcal Infections / virology
  • Streptococcus suis* / genetics
  • Streptococcus suis* / pathogenicity
  • Streptococcus suis* / physiology
  • Streptococcus suis* / virology
  • Swine / genetics
  • Swine / virology
  • Swine Diseases / virology
  • Zebrafish / microbiology
  • Zebrafish / physiology

Grants and funding

This study was supported by grants from Chinese National Programs for Fundamental Research and Development (2012CB518804). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.