The sheathed flagellum of Brucella melitensis is involved in persistence in a murine model of infection

摘要: Persistence infection is the keystone of ruminant and human diseases called brucellosis Malta fever, respectively, linked to intracellular tropism Brucella spp. While described as non-motile, have all genes except chemotactic system, necessary assemble a functional flagellum. We undertook determine whether these are expressed playing role in some step disease process. demonstrated that early log phase growth curve 2YT nutrient broth, melitensis expresses corresponding basal (MS ring) distal (hook filament) parts flagellar apparatus. Under conditions, polar sheathed structure visible by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). evaluated effect mutations B. encoding various structure, MS ring, P motor protein, secretion apparatus, hook filament. None mutants gave discernible phenotype compared with wild-type strain cellular models infection. In contrast, were unable establish chronic mice infected via intraperitoneal route, raising question biological role(s) this appendage.