Abstract
Haemophilus ducreyi expresses a conserved hemoglobin-binding outer-membrane protein (HgbA). To test the role of HgbA in pathogenesis, we infected 9 adults with isolate 35000 and its isogenic hgbA-inactivated mutant (FX504) on their upper arms in a double-blinded, escalating dose-response study. Papules developed at similar rates at sites inoculated with the mutant or parent. The pustule-formation rate was 55% (95% confidence interval [CI], 30. 8%-78.5%) at parent sites and 0 (95% CI, 0-10.5%) at mutant sites (P<.0001). The recovery rate of H. ducreyi from surface cultures was 16% (n=142) from parent sites and 0 (n=213) from mutant sites (P<. 0001). H. ducreyi was recovered at biopsy from 6 of 7 parent sites and from 0 of 3 mutant sites. The results indicate that hemoglobin may be a critical source of heme or iron for the establishment of H. ducreyi infection in humans.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
