Plasmids and the Virulence of Enteric and Other Bacterial Pathogens

Editorials1 August 1984Plasmids and the Virulence of Enteric and Other Bacterial PathogensDENNIS J. KOPECKO, PH.D., SAMUEL B. FORMAL, PH.D.DENNIS J. KOPECKO, PH.D.Search for more papers by this author, SAMUEL B. FORMAL, PH.D.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-101-2-260 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptBacterial plasmids are extrachromosomal, circular, double-stranded DNA, genetic accessory elements that have been found to encode many important properties in more than 50 different bacterial genera. For example, these genetic units can mediate conjugal DNA transfer, resistance to many antibiotics and divalent cations, degradation of organic compounds (such as napthalene or hexachlorophene), and some key diagnostic biochemical properties (such as urease or hydrogen sulfide production or lactose utilization). Plasmids generally range in size from about 5000 to 450 000 nucleotide base pairs—that is, each plasmid can potentially encode from 5 to more than 400 average-sized accessory proteins. Moreover, a single...References1. JACOBYSWARZ GM. Plasmids: microbiologic and clinical importance. In: WEINSTEIN L, FIELDS BN, eds. Seminars in Infectious Disease. Vol. 3. New York: Thieme-Stratton, Inc. ; 1980:1-37. Google Scholar2. ELWELLSHIPLEY LP. Plasmid-mediated factors associated with virulence of bacteria to animals. Annu Rev Microbiol. 1980;34:465-96. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. SMITHLINGGOOD HM. Observations on the pathogenic properties of the K88, Hly and Ent plasmids of Escherichia coli with particular reference to porcine diarrhoea. J Med Microbiol. 1971;4:467-85. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. DENEKETHORNEGORBACH CGS. Serotypes of attachment pili of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli isolated from humans. Infect Immun. 1981;32:1254-60. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. 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PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited ByRelevance, pathogenicity and virulence of microorganisms in implant related infectionsAntimicrobial resistance of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli strains from a nosocomial outbreak in KenyaRole of the cell envelope in bacterial adaptation to growth in vivo in infectionsPlasmid typing of Shigella sonnei epidemic strains and molecular relationship of their R-plasmidsPlesiomonas Enteric Infections in the United StatesSCOTT D. HOLMBERG, M.D., I. KAYE WACHSMUTH, Ph.D., FRANCES W. HICKMAN-BRENNER, M.S., PAUL A. BLAKE, M.D., M.P.H., J. J. FARMER III, Ph.D.Iron and the outcome of infection.Bacterial DiarrhoeaGram-negative bacillary infections 1 August 1984Volume 101, Issue 2Page: 260-262KeywordsAntibioticsBacterial pathogensCationsDNAGeneticsLactoseMolecular biologyProteinsUreases Issue Published: 1 August 1984 PDF DownloadLoading ...