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. 1993 Apr;61(4):1559–1562. doi: 10.1128/iai.61.4.1559-1562.1993

Cloning and sequence analysis of the structural pilin gene of Brazilian purpuric fever-associated Haemophilus influenzae biogroup aegyptius.

A M Whitney 1, M M Farley 1
PMCID: PMC281401  PMID: 8454364

Abstract

We have cloned and sequenced the Brazilian purpuric fever (BPF)-associated Haemophilus influenzae biogroup aegyptius (Hae) pilin gene. The sequence contained a 648-bp open reading frame encoding a mature pilin protein of 191 amino acids with a calculated mass of 20.5 kDa. There was 82% homology between the open reading frames of the BPF strain F3031 and H. influenzae type b (Hib) (strain M43) pilin genes and 71% homology at the amino acid level between the mature pilin proteins. However, areas of diversity were noted throughout the gene. A 17-bp probe corresponding to an area of diversity in the N-terminal region of the BPF-associated gene hybridized with other BPF strains but not with non-BPF Hae or Hib. In summary, the pilin protein of BPF-associated Hae is highly homologous to Hib pilin yet remains structurally distinct.

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Selected References

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