Scientists have uncovered genetic clues about why some strains of the pathogen Coxiella burnetii , which cause acute and chronic Q fever in humans and livestock, are more highly infective and malignant. While Q fever is highly uncommon, it is one of the most infectious diseases as it begins by inhaling only a single bacterium and which can then replicate in harsh environments. Once inhaled, the pathogen attacks the components of the white cells in the body that usually protect the body from pathogenic diseases and can lead to fatalities if not treated. This makes these particular bacteria is important as will help the prevention and treatment of Q fever, as well as the prevention and treatment of other pathogenic caused diseases with similar genomes.
To study the DNA of this pathogen, scientists compared four different strains to determine the structure and content of the varying genomes. These strains had varying degrees of virulence so the genes associated with the most infections and illness-causing pathogens could be isolated. The strains with a smaller genome were found to be associated with strain virulence. Results also showed that the recombination between ‘jumping genes’ has brought about a large amount of non-functional genes in bacteria throughout the history of pathogenic evolution, which may be associated with the high levels of virulence in the pathogen. If this evolutionary path is similar to other pathogens, it could lead to significant breakthroughs in the understanding of virulent pathogens.
Caitlin Harvey-42004660
June 3rd, 2009.
WHYTE, B 2009, ‘Comparative genomics reveals molecular evolution of Q fever pathogen’, Bio-medicine online journal, http://www.bio-medicine.org/biology-news-1/Comparative-genomics-reveals-molecular-evolution-of-Q-fever-pathogen-6907-1/
To study the DNA of this pathogen, scientists compared four different strains to determine the structure and content of the varying genomes. These strains had varying degrees of virulence so the genes associated with the most infections and illness-causing pathogens could be isolated. The strains with a smaller genome were found to be associated with strain virulence. Results also showed that the recombination between ‘jumping genes’ has brought about a large amount of non-functional genes in bacteria throughout the history of pathogenic evolution, which may be associated with the high levels of virulence in the pathogen. If this evolutionary path is similar to other pathogens, it could lead to significant breakthroughs in the understanding of virulent pathogens.
Caitlin Harvey-42004660
June 3rd, 2009.
WHYTE, B 2009, ‘Comparative genomics reveals molecular evolution of Q fever pathogen’, Bio-medicine online journal, http://www.bio-medicine.org/biology-news-1/Comparative-genomics-reveals-molecular-evolution-of-Q-fever-pathogen-6907-1/
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