Articles

The livestock industry is severely financially affected due to the facultative intracellular bacterium Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis (C. pseudotuberculosis) that is responsible for caseous lymphadenitis (CLA)in livestock. The survival of bacteria within host environment is greatly reliant on its capacity to utilize nitrate reduction as a mechanism that facilitates bacteria survival under low oxygen conditions. C. pseudotuberculosis employs the use of nitrate as an electron terminal acceptor by this mechanism which enhances its respiratory function. The genetic and enzymological aspects of nitrate reduction in C. pseudotuberculosis explores to understand the implication on survival mechanisms of bacteria and pathogenicity. A review of the bacterial nitrate metabolism mechanisms of survival would be revealing new areas for the treatment of infections and means of control measures. The metabolic capabilities of C. pseudotuberculosis will reveal new pathways to prevent its detrimental impacts on animal health.