Basic Info

Serotype prediction based on their surface antigens, such as O, H, and K antigens.

More Details

The serotype represents the genetic markers displayed by proteins in blood plasma. Due to the genetic polymorphism of some serum proteins, phenotypic differences arise among individuals. Therefore, serotyping has become an important classification method, especially for many foodborne microorganisms such as Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. This method is also widely used in epidemiological investigations. By determining the serotype of bacteria, we can provide a solid basis for antimicrobial therapy. Specifically, through in-depth analysis of the characteristics of bacterial somatic cells, such as the O antigen, cell surface proteins, H antigen, and K antigen, we can accurately classify bacteria based on their serotypes.

What's New

Yersinia Enterocolitica has over 70 serotypes based on Antigen-O lipopolysaccharide reactions, but only 11 have been associated with human diseases, and genetic analysis has focussed on the O:3, O:8 and O:9 serotypes, of which O:8 has the Wzx/Wzy-dependent pathway and the others the ABC-transporter pathway. The gene cluster at the hemH-gsk locus for the O:8 structure has been well documented, and has a typical arrangement for a Wzx/Wzy pathway structure. However, the O:3 and O:9 gene clusters do not map to the hemH-gsk locus, but rather to the galF-gnd locus, as is typical for Wzx/Wzy pathway, E. coli and S. enterica O-antigen gene clusters, and also E. coli group 1 capsule gene clusters. The O:3 and O:9 strains have a different gene cluster at the hemH-gsk locus, which directs the synthesis of a structure that has been called the outer core of the LPS. This outer core consists of what is in effect a single O unit that is synthesised by a pathway involving Wzx, but is not polymerised after translocation. In both serotypes, LPS molecules can have either the ABC pathway O antigen or the outer core.

The eight Y. enterocolitica structures reported include six with a homopolymeric O antigen or main chain common in ABC-transporter repeat units, and the species may well have a significant number of O antigens resembling O:3 and O:9 in their biosynthesis pathway and gene cluster location.

Additional Information

NA

Literature

Garzetti D, Susen R, Fruth A, Tietze E, Heesemann J, Rakin A. A molecular scheme for Yersinia enterocolitica patho-serotyping derived from genome-wide analysis. Int J Med Microbiol. 2014;304(3-4):275-283. doi:10.1016/j.ijmm.2013.10.007

Skurnik M, Venho R, Bengoechea JA, Moriyón I. The lipopolysaccharide outer core of Yersinia enterocolitica serotype O:3 is required for virulence and plays a role in outer membrane integrity. Mol Microbiol. 1999;31(5):1443-1462. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2958.1999.01285.x

Skurnik M, Biedzka-Sarek M, Lübeck PS, et al. Characterization and biological role of the O-polysaccharide gene cluster of Yersinia enterocolitica serotype O:9. J Bacteriol. 2007;189(20):7244-7253. doi:10.1128/JB.00605-07

Kenyon JJ, Cunneen MM, Reeves PR. Genetics and evolution of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis O-specific polysaccharides: a novel pattern of O-antigen diversity. FEMS Microbiol Rev. 2017;41(2):200-217. doi:10.1093/femsre/fux002