An in vivo atlas of host–pathogen transcriptomes during <i>Streptococcus pneumoniae</i> colonization and disease

Abstract

Significance We detail host–pathogen interaction gene-expression profiles of Streptococcus pneumoniae ( Spn ) and its infected host at disease relevant anatomical sites using mice as experimental models. We identify the shared and organ-specific transcriptomes of Spn , show that bacterial and host gene-expression profiles are highly distinct during asymptomatic colonization versus disease-causing infection, and demonstrate that Spn and host genes with high levels of expression contribute to pathogenesis or host defense, respectively, making them optimal targets for intervention.

Topics & Concepts