Analysis of Host Specificity in Salmonella Enterica Serovars Typhi and Typhimurium

I designed a conjugal system that permits transfer of chromosomal DNA between different serovars of Salmonella in order to create genetic hybrids. Using the conserved 16S rRNA gene from Salmonella as a portable region of homology, I created high frequency of recombination (Hfr) conjugal donors that contain an origin of transfer within the various ribosomal RNA (rrn) operons on the chromosome. These donors permitted transfer of chromosomal DNA between Typhimurium and Typhi regardless of the genomic rearrangements, caused by recombination at the homologous rrn operons, frequently found in Typhi serovars. Genetic hybrids of a clinical isolate of Typhi containing fragments B, C, D, E & F, E & D, or F from Typhimurium did not cause severe systemic illness in mice and thus did not expand the Typhi host range. These results suggest that either genetic determinants responsible for mouse virulence are located on fragments A or G of the Typhimurium chromosome or that multiple fragment transfers, and thus multiple genes, are required to alter the host specificity of Typhi.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Microbiology

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2015

Author dc:creator

• Thierauf, Anne Marie

Contributors dc:contributor

• Stanley Maloy

• Biology, Microbiology

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

(MiAaPQ)AAI3111649

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/86661