Virulence of the emerging pathogen, , depends upon the -linked oligosaccharyltransferase, PglL.

We sought to characterize the contribution of the -OTase, PglL, to virulence in two spp. by comparing isogenic mutants in with the related species, . We utilized an array of assays in addition to and murine models to assess virulence of the mutant and wild-type strains in each species. We found that contributes to biofilm and twitching motility in both species. uniquely affected morphology; cell invasion; intracellular motility; plaque formation and intergenus competition in . This mutant was attenuated in the murine model, and extended survival in a vaccine-challenge experiment. Our data support a broad role for in bacterial fitness and virulence, particularly in .