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The type VI secretion system of the emerging pathogen Stenotrophomonas maltophilia complex has antibacterial properties.

ABSTRACT:

Importance

Infections with the opportunistic pathogen Stenotrophomonas maltophilia complex can be fatal for immunocompromised patients. The mechanisms used by the bacterium to compete against other prokaryotes are not well understood. We found that the type VI secretion system (T6SS) allows S. maltophilia complex to eliminate other bacteria and contributes to the competitive fitness against a co-infecting isolate. The presence of T6SS genes in isolates across the globe highlights the importance of this apparatus as a weapon in the antibacterial arsenal of S. maltophilia complex. The T6SS may confer survival advantages to S. maltophilia complex isolates in polymicrobial communities in both environmental settings and during infections.

SUBMITTER: Crisan CV

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10732056 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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The type VI secretion system of the emerging pathogen <i>Stenotrophomonas maltophilia</i> complex has antibacterial properties.

Crisan Cristian V CV Van Tyne Daria D Goldberg Joanna B JB

mSphere 20231117 6

<h4>Importance</h4>Infections with the opportunistic pathogen <i>Stenotrophomonas maltophilia</i> complex can be fatal for immunocompromised patients. The mechanisms used by the bacterium to compete against other prokaryotes are not well understood. We found that the type VI secretion system (T6SS) allows <i>S. maltophilia</i> complex to eliminate other bacteria and contributes to the competitive fitness against a co-infecting isolate. The presence of T6SS genes in isolates across the globe high ...[more]

PMID: 37975665

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