MP25-09 MICROBIAL EXPOSURE REDUCES SUSCEPTIBILITY TO LOCALIZED UROPATHOGENIC E. COLI INFECTION IN THE BLADDER AND UROSEPSIS

Abstract

Its function has not been analyzed. Our goal was to determine the function of the MalX homologue by analyzing the phenotypes of mutants lacking the gene.METHODS: Using UTI89, a model UPEC strain, the malX homologue was deleted. The deletion strain was tested for growth on several sugars and swimming and surface motility with and without glucose.RESULTS: The malX homologue mutant had defective growth on glucose and xylose as carbon sources and lost both surface and swimming motility. A phylogenetic analysis suggests that the malX homologue is largely confined to the B2 phylogenetic group, which is the predominant group for UPEC.CONCLUSIONS: We propose that UPEC strains have a form of metabolism that is different from that of nonpathogenic E. coli strains, and that glucose transport is one aspect of metabolism that contributes to virulence.