Genome Sequence of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae
Recently, Drs. Lauren Bakaletz and Robert Munson at the Columbus Children's Research Institute and The Ohio State University,
published the genome sequence of a strain of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae. These studies were done in collaboration with the OUHSC Laboratory
for Genomics and Bioinformatics. In 1995, TIGR completed the genome sequence of a rough derivative of H. influenzae serotype d, strain KW20. Although
extremely useful in understanding the basic biology of H. influenzae, these data have not provided significant insight into disease caused by
nontypeable H. influenzae, as serotype d strains are not pathogens. In contrast, strains of nontypeable H. influenzae are the primary pathogens
of chronic and recurrent otitis media in children. In addition, these organisms have an important role in acute otitis media in children as well
as other respiratory diseases. Such strains must therefore contain a gene repertoire that differs from strain Rd. Elucidation of the differences
between these genomes will thus provide insight into the pathogenic mechanisms of nontypeable H. influenzae. The genome of a representative nontypeable
H. influenzae strain, 86-028NP, isolated from a patient with chronic otitis media, was therefore sequenced and annotated. Despite large regions of synteny
with the strain Rd genome, there are large rearrangements in strain 86-028NP's genome architecture relative to the strain Rd genome. A genomic island similar
to an island originally identified in H. influenzae type b, is present in the 86-028NP genome while the mu-like phage present in the strain Rd genome is
absent from the strain 86-028NP genome. Two hundred and eighty-five ORFs were identified in the strain 86-028NP genome that were absent from the strain Rd
genome. These data provide new insight that complements and extends the ongoing analysis of NTHi virulence determinants. These data are in press in the
Journal of Bacteriology (A. Harrison, D.W. Dyer, A. Gillaspy, W.e. Ray, R. Mungur, M. Carson, J. Gipson, M. Gipson, L.S. Johnson, L. Lewis, L.O. Bakaletz and R. S. Munson, Jr.,
"The Genomic Sequence of an Otitis Media Isolate of Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae: a Comparative Study with Haemophilus influenzae Serotype d, Strain KW20". J. Bacteriol.
, in press, 2005). Click here to view the full article at the Ohio State website.
Recently, Drs. Lauren Bakaletz and Robert Munson at the Columbus Children's Research Institute and The Ohio State University,
published the genome sequence of a strain of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae. These studies were done in collaboration with the OUHSC Laboratory
for Genomics and Bioinformatics. In 1995, TIGR completed the genome sequence of a rough derivative of H. influenzae serotype d, strain KW20. Although
extremely useful in understanding the basic biology of H. influenzae, these data have not provided significant insight into disease caused by
nontypeable H. influenzae, as serotype d strains are not pathogens. In contrast, strains of nontypeable H. influenzae are the primary pathogens
of chronic and recurrent otitis media in children. In addition, these organisms have an important role in acute otitis media in children as well
as other respiratory diseases. Such strains must therefore contain a gene repertoire that differs from strain Rd. Elucidation of the differences
between these genomes will thus provide insight into the pathogenic mechanisms of nontypeable H. influenzae. The genome of a representative nontypeable
H. influenzae strain, 86-028NP, isolated from a patient with chronic otitis media, was therefore sequenced and annotated. Despite large regions of synteny
with the strain Rd genome, there are large rearrangements in strain 86-028NP's genome architecture relative to the strain Rd genome. A genomic island similar
to an island originally identified in H. influenzae type b, is present in the 86-028NP genome while the mu-like phage present in the strain Rd genome is
absent from the strain 86-028NP genome. Two hundred and eighty-five ORFs were identified in the strain 86-028NP genome that were absent from the strain Rd
genome. These data provide new insight that complements and extends the ongoing analysis of NTHi virulence determinants. These data are in press in the
Journal of Bacteriology (A. Harrison, D.W. Dyer, A. Gillaspy, W.e. Ray, R. Mungur, M. Carson, J. Gipson, M. Gipson, L.S. Johnson, L. Lewis, L.O. Bakaletz and R. S. Munson, Jr.,
"The Genomic Sequence of an Otitis Media Isolate of Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae: a Comparative Study with Haemophilus influenzae Serotype d, Strain KW20". J. Bacteriol.
, in press, 2005). Click