The missing link: Bordetella petrii is endowed with both the metabolic versatility of environmental bacteria and virulence traits of pathogenic Bordetellae
2008

Bordetella petrii: A Link Between Environmental and Pathogenic Bacteria

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Gross Roy, Guzman Carlos A, Sebaihia Mohammed, Martins dos Santos Vítor AP, Pieper Dietmar H, Koebnik Ralf, Lechner Melanie, Bartels Daniela, Buhrmester Jens, Choudhuri Jomuna V, Ebensen Thomas, Gaigalat Lars, Herrmann Stefanie, Khachane Amit N, Larisch Christof, Link Stefanie, Linke Burkhard, Meyer Folker, Mormann Sascha, Nakunst Diana, Rückert Christian, Schneiker-Bekel Susanne, Schulze Kai, Vorhölter Frank-Jörg, Yevsa Tetyana, Engle Jacquelyn T, Goldman William E, Pühler Alfred, Göbel Ulf B, Goesmann Alexander, Blöcker Helmut, Kaiser Olaf, Martinez-Arias Rosa

Primary Institution: Chair of Microbiology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg

Hypothesis

Bordetella petrii represents an evolutionary link between free-living environmental bacteria and host-restricted pathogenic Bordetellae.

Conclusion

The genomic analysis suggests that B. petrii has both environmental metabolic versatility and some virulence traits, indicating its unique evolutionary position.

Supporting Evidence

  • Bordetella petrii has a mosaic genome with numerous mobile genetic elements.
  • It encodes proteins related to virulence factors of pathogenic Bordetellae.
  • B. petrii can thrive in various ecological niches due to its metabolic versatility.
  • The study highlights the evolutionary link between environmental and pathogenic Bordetella species.

Takeaway

Bordetella petrii is a special type of bacteria that can live in different environments and has some features that help it survive and cause disease.

Methodology

Whole genome shotgun sequencing and comparative genomic analysis.

Limitations

The study primarily focuses on genomic analysis and may not cover all ecological or pathogenic aspects of B. petrii.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-2164-9-449

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