A functional <it>tonB</it> gene is required for both virulence and competitive fitness in a chinchilla model of <it>Haemophilus influenzae</it> otitis media

<p><b>Abstract</b></p> <p><b>Background</b></p> <p><it>Haemophilus influenzae</it> requires heme for aerobic growth and possesses multiple mechanisms to obtain this essential nutrient.</p> <p><b>Methods</b></p> <p>An insertional mutation in <it>tonB</it> was constructed and the impact of the mutation on virulence and fitness in a chinchilla model of otitis media was determined. The <it>tonB</it> insertion mutant strain was significantly impacted in both virulence and fitness as compared to the wildtype strain in this model.</p> <p><b>Conclusions</b></p> <p>The <it>tonB</it> gene of <it>H. influenzae</it> is required for the establishment and maintenance of middle ear infection in this chinchilla model of bacterial disease.</p