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The archive of the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology (IJSEM) has been made available free online, which should be a boon for scientists, historians and the public.
Genetic modification of mycobacteria is a difficult process. In this innovation, van Kessel and colleagues describe a new system of recombineering that facilitates the production of mutants in mycobacteria and mycobacteriophages.
Clonal types of pathogenic bacteria differ in their ability to colonize, spread and cause disease in hosts. The evolution of bacterial clones and factors that contribute to the clonal spread of bacteria are discussed in this article, together with the relevance of bacterial clones to the progression of disease.
The motility that is afforded by flagella and cilia is widespread among unicellular eukaryotes. In this Review, Ginger and colleagues describe the structure of the flagellum, its metabolic activity, different synthesis pathways and flagellar functions that extend beyond motility.
Many viruses that are pathogenic for humans, including HIV-1, herpes simplex virus and measles, can disseminate by moving directly from cell to cell. Quentin Sattentau discusses the mechanisms of viral cell-to-cell spread and the implications for viral dissemination, immune evasion and pathogenesis.
Some enteric bacterial pathogens cause abdominal pain and fever that are distinct from acute gastroenteritis. The authors review recent evidence that these 'stealth' pathogens share features that explain why host responses to them resemble those made to viral or parasitic infections.