Natural reversion promotes LPS elongation in an attenuated Coxiella burnetii strain.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) phase variation is a critical aspect of virulence in many Gram-negative bacteria. It is of particular importance to Coxiella burnetii, the biothreat pathogen that causes Q fever, as in vitro propagation of this organism leads to LPS truncation, which is associated with an attenuated and exempted from select agent status (Nine Mile II, NMII). Here, we demonstrate that NMII was recovered from the spleens of infected guinea pigs.

A simple method for enrichment of phase I Coxiella burnetii.

Coxiella burnetii is the bacterial causative agent of the zoonosis Q fever. This bacterium undergoes lipopolysaccharide (LPS) phase transition similar to Enterobacteriaciae upon in vitro passage. Full-length, phase I C.

Characterization of Dugway Strain Host-Pathogen Interactions In Vivo.

is a Gram-negative, intracellular bacterium that causes the zoonosis Q fever. Among the many natural isolates of recovered from various sources, the Dugway group exhibits unique genetic characteristics, including the largest genomes. These strains were isolated during 1954-1958 from wild rodents from the Utah, USA desert.

Murine Q Fever Vaccination Model Reveals Sex Dimorphism in Early Phase Delayed-Type Hypersensitivity Responses.

Delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses to microbial vaccines and related components are a major roadblock for widespread licensing of whole cell vaccines such as that of Q fever. Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by the intracellular bacterium . The only currently licensed vaccine, Q-Vax, is a whole cell inactivated formulation that is associated with a potentially severe dermal post vaccination DTH response in previously sensitized individuals.

Preclinical Animal Models for Q Fever Vaccine Development.

is a zoonotic pathogen responsible for the human disease Q fever. While an inactivated whole cell vaccine exists for this disease, its widespread use is precluded by a post vaccination hypersensitivity response. Efforts for the development of an improved Q fever vaccine are intricately connected to the availability of appropriate animal models of human disease.