Neisseria gonorrhoeae MS11mkC Opacity Protein Expression In Vitro and During Human Volunteer Infectivity Studies

Background and Objectives: Neisseria gonorrhoeae MS11mkC harbors 11 independently expressed opacity (Opa) protein genes with distinct in vitro expression frequencies. In experimental infections in which human male volunteers were inoculated with transparent (Opa ⁻), piliated (P⁺) strains, the author...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Sexually transmitted diseases 2000-05, Vol.27 (5), p.278-283
Main Authors: SCHMIDT, KATHERINE A., DEAL, CAROLYN D., KWAN, MATTHEW, THATTASSERY, EMIL, SCHNEIDER, HERMAN
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Antigens, Bacterial - biosynthesis
Antigens, Bacterial - classification
Antigens, Bacterial - isolation & purification
Bacterial diseases
Biological and medical sciences
Blotting, Western
Genes
Gonorrhea - microbiology
Human bacterial diseases
Humans
Infectious diseases
Male
Medical sciences
Miscellaneous
Neisseria gonorrhoeae - growth & development
Neisseria gonorrhoeae - isolation & purification
Neisseria gonorrhoeae - metabolism
Neisseria gonorrhoeae - pathogenicity
Proteins
Sexually transmitted diseases
STD
Urine - microbiology
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Summary:Background and Objectives: Neisseria gonorrhoeae MS11mkC harbors 11 independently expressed opacity (Opa) protein genes with distinct in vitro expression frequencies. In experimental infections in which human male volunteers were inoculated with transparent (Opa ⁻), piliated (P⁺) strains, the authors associate onset of symptoms with recovery of opaque (Opa⁺) gonococci. Goals: In vitro and recovered (Opa) protein expression rates were compared to determine if the human host influences Opa expression. Study Design: Opa expression was determined using Western immunoblot analysis; Opa sizes were determined using a scanning densitometer. Results: Seven of 10 Opa proteins were identified in gonococci recovered from all of the volunteers at frequencies consistent with in vitro results (Opa C, 29.5 kDa; Opa K, 30 kDa; Opa G, 31 kDa; Opa I,32 kDa; Opa J, 33 kDa; Opa D, 34 kDa; and Opa H, 37 kDa) (P ≥ 0.01, Fisher exact test). Opa B (30.5 kDa) was identified at lower than expected frequencies, whereas Opa E (31.2) and F (31.5) were identified at higher than expected frequencies. When recovered gonococci were reanalyzed for in vitro expression frequencies, they were consistent with preinfection frequencies. Conclusions: The host may influence the prevalence of some Opa proteins.
ISSN:0148-5717
1537-4521
DOI:10.1097/00007435-200005000-00008