Identification of thepsaAGene, Coding for Pneumococcal Surface Adhesin A, in Viridans Group Streptococci other thanStreptococcus pneumoniae

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Abstract
The gene encoding the pneumococcal surface adhesin A (PsaA) protein has been identified in three different viridans group streptococcal species. Comparative studies of thepsaAgene identified in different pneumococcal isolates by sequencing PCR products showed a high degree of conservation among these strains. PsaA is encoded by an open reading frame of 930 bp. The analysis of this fragment inStreptococcus mitis, Streptococcus oralis, andStreptococcus anginosusstrains revealed a sequence identity of 95, 94, and 90%, respectively, to the corresponding open reading frame of the previously reportedStreptococcus pneumoniaeserotype 6B strain. Our results confirm thatpsaAis present and detectable in heterologous bacterial species. The possible implications of these results for the suitability and potential use of PsaA in the identification and diagnosis of pneumococcal diseases are discussed.