Mutation analysis of parental and 10 avirulent C. rodentium isolates from the feces of C3H/HeJ mice

We report that dietary iron protects mice from infection by Citrobacter rodentium. Iron induces a state of insulin resistance and increases glucose availability in the gut, thereby attenutating C. rodentium virulence. Additionally the pathogen appears to be driven towards a long-term commensal state. Here, we identify mutations in persistent and avirulent Citrobacter rodentium isolates from mice given an iron supplemented diet. Overall design: 10 isolates of avirulent C. rodentium from the feces of C3H/HeJ mice and the parental strain were sequenced, then compared to identify mutations in the isolates.