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Lehman SS, Williamson CD, Tucholski T, Ellis NA, Bouchard S, Jarnik M, Allen M, Nita-Lazar A, Machner MP. The Legionella pneumophila effector DenR hijacks the host NRas proto-oncoprotein to downregulate MAPK signaling. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114033. [PMID: 38568811 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Small GTPases of the Ras subfamily are best known for their role as proto-oncoproteins, while their function during microbial infection has remained elusive. Here, we show that Legionella pneumophila hijacks the small GTPase NRas to the Legionella-containing vacuole (LCV) surface. A CRISPR interference screen identifies a single L. pneumophila effector, DenR (Lpg1909), required for this process. Recruitment is specific for NRas, while its homologs KRas and HRas are excluded from LCVs. The C-terminal hypervariable tail of NRas is sufficient for recruitment, and interference with either NRas farnesylation or S-acylation sites abrogates recruitment. Intriguingly, we detect markers of active NRas signaling on the LCV, suggesting it acts as a signaling platform. Subsequent phosphoproteomics analyses show that DenR rewires the host NRas signaling landscape, including dampening of the canonical mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. These results provide evidence for L. pneumophila targeting NRas and suggest a link between NRas GTPase signaling and microbial infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie S Lehman
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Chad D Williamson
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Trisha Tucholski
- Functional Cellular Networks Section, Laboratory of Immune System Biology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Nicole A Ellis
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Sabrina Bouchard
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Michal Jarnik
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Morgan Allen
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Aleksandra Nita-Lazar
- Functional Cellular Networks Section, Laboratory of Immune System Biology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Matthias P Machner
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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2
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Lehman SS, Verhoeve VI, Driscoll TP, Beckmann JF, Gillespie JJ. Metagenome diversity illuminates the origins of pathogen effectors. mBio 2024:e0075923. [PMID: 38564675 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00759-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Recent metagenome-assembled genome (MAG) analyses have profoundly impacted Rickettsiology systematics. The discovery of basal lineages (novel families Mitibacteraceae and Athabascaceae) with predicted extracellular lifestyles exposed an evolutionary timepoint for the transition to host dependency, which seemingly occurred independent of mitochondrial evolution. Notably, these basal rickettsiae carry the Rickettsiales vir homolog (rvh) type IV secretion system and purportedly use rvh to kill congener microbes rather than parasitize host cells as described for later-evolving rickettsial pathogens. MAG analysis also substantially increased diversity for the genus Rickettsia and delineated a sister lineage (the novel genus Tisiphia) that stands to inform on the emergence of human pathogens from protist and invertebrate endosymbionts. Herein, we probed Rickettsiales MAG and genomic diversity for the distribution of Rickettsia rvh effectors to ascertain their origins. A sparse distribution of most Rickettsia rvh effectors outside of Rickettsiaceae lineages illuminates unique rvh evolution from basal extracellular species and other rickettsial families. Remarkably, nearly every effector was found in multiple divergent forms with variable architectures, indicating profound roles for gene duplication and recombination in shaping effector repertoires in Rickettsia pathogens. Lateral gene transfer plays a prominent role in shaping the rvh effector landscape, as evinced by the discovery of many effectors on plasmids and conjugative transposons, as well as pervasive effector gene exchange between Rickettsia and Legionella species. Our study exemplifies how MAGs can yield insight into pathogen effector origins, particularly how effector architectures might become tailored to the discrete host cell functions of different eukaryotic hosts.IMPORTANCEWhile rickettsioses are deadly vector-borne human diseases, factors distinguishing Rickettsia pathogens from the innumerable bevy of environmental rickettsial endosymbionts remain lacking. Recent metagenome-assembled genome (MAG) studies revealed evolutionary timepoints for rickettsial transitions to host dependency. The rvh type IV secretion system was likely repurposed from congener killing in basal extracellular species to parasitizing host cells in later-evolving pathogens. Our analysis of MAG diversity for over two dozen rvh effectors unearthed their presence in some non-pathogens. However, most effectors were found in multiple divergent forms with variable architectures, indicating gene duplication and recombination-fashioned effector repertoires of Rickettsia pathogens. Lateral gene transfer substantially shaped pathogen effector arsenals, evinced by the discovery of effectors on plasmids and conjugative transposons, as well as pervasive effector gene exchanges between Rickettsia and Legionella species. Our study exemplifies how MAGs yield insight into pathogen effector origins and evolutionary processes tailoring effectors to eukaryotic host cell biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie S Lehman
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Victoria I Verhoeve
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Timothy P Driscoll
- Department of Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
| | - John F Beckmann
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama, USA
| | - Joseph J Gillespie
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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3
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Abstract
Recent metagenome assembled genome (MAG) analyses have profoundly impacted Rickettsiology systematics. Discovery of basal lineages (Mitibacteraceae and Athabascaceae) with predicted extracellular lifestyles reveals an evolutionary timepoint for the transition to host dependency, which occurred independent of mitochondrial evolution. Notably, these basal rickettsiae carry the Rickettsiales vir homolog (rvh) type IV secretion system (T4SS) and purportedly use rvh to kill congener microbes rather than parasitize host cells as described for derived rickettsial pathogens. MAG analysis also substantially increased diversity for genus Rickettsia and delineated a basal lineage (Tisiphia) that stands to inform on the rise of human pathogens from protist and invertebrate endosymbionts. Herein, we probed Rickettsiales MAG and genomic diversity for the distribution of Rickettsia rvh effectors to ascertain their origins. A sparse distribution of most Rickettsia rvh effectors outside of Rickettsiaceae lineages indicates unique rvh evolution from basal extracellular species and other rickettsial families. Remarkably, nearly every effector was found in multiple divergent forms with variable architectures, illuminating profound roles for gene duplication and recombination in shaping effector repertoires in Rickettsia pathogens. Lateral gene transfer plays a prominent role shaping the rvh effector landscape, as evinced by the discover of many effectors on plasmids and conjugative transposons, as well as pervasive effector gene exchange between Rickettsia and Legionella species. Our study exemplifies how MAGs can provide incredible insight on the origins of pathogen effectors and how their architectural modifications become tailored to eukaryotic host cell biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria I Verhoeve
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Stephanie S Lehman
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Timothy P Driscoll
- Department of Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
| | - John F Beckmann
- Microbiology and Immunology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, USA
| | - Joseph J Gillespie
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Lehman SS, Mladinich KM, Boonyakanog A, Mima T, Karkhoff-Schweizer RR, Schweizer HP. Versatile nourseothricin and streptomycin/spectinomycin resistance gene cassettes and their use in chromosome integration vectors. J Microbiol Methods 2016; 129:8-13. [PMID: 27457407 PMCID: PMC5018448 DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2016.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2016] [Revised: 07/19/2016] [Accepted: 07/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
An obstacle for the development of genetic systems for many bacteria is the limited number of antibiotic selection markers, especially for bacteria that are intrinsically antibiotic resistant or where utilization of such markers is strictly regulated. Here we describe the development of versatile cassettes containing nourseothricin, streptomycin/spectinomycin, and spectinomycin selection markers. The antibiotic resistance genes contained on these cassettes are flanked by loxP sites with allow their in vivo excision from the chromosome of target bacteria using Cre recombinase. The respective selection marker cassettes were used to derive mini-Tn7 elements that can be used for single-copy insertion of genes into bacterial chromosomes. The utility of the selection markers was tested by insertion of the resulting mini-Tn7 elements into the genomes of Burkholderia thailandensis and B. pseudomallei efflux pump mutants susceptible to aminoglycosides, aminocyclitols, and streptothricins, followed by Cre-mediated antibiotic resistance marker excision. The versatile nourseothricin, streptomycin/spectinomycin and spectinomycin resistance loxP cassette vectors described here extend the repertoire of antibiotic selection markers for genetic manipulation of diverse bacteria that are susceptible to aminoglycosides and aminocyclitols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie S. Lehman
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Katherine M. Mladinich
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Angkana Boonyakanog
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Takehiko Mima
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | | | - Herbert P. Schweizer
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 30610, USA
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Gillespie JJ, Phan IQH, Driscoll TP, Guillotte ML, Lehman SS, Rennoll-Bankert KE, Subramanian S, Beier-Sexton M, Myler PJ, Rahman MS, Azad AF. The Rickettsia type IV secretion system: unrealized complexity mired by gene family expansion. Pathog Dis 2016; 74:ftw058. [PMID: 27307105 PMCID: PMC5505475 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftw058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Many prokaryotes utilize type IV secretion systems (T4SSs) to translocate substrates (e.g. nucleoprotein, DNA, protein) across the cell envelope, and/or to elaborate surface structures (i.e. pili or adhesins). Among eight distinct T4SS classes, P-T4SSs are typified by the Agrobacterium tumefaciens vir T4SS, which is comprised of 12 scaffold components (VirB1-VirB11, VirD4). While most P-T4SSs include all 12 Vir proteins, some differ from the vir archetype by either containing additional scaffold components not analogous to Vir proteins or lacking one or more of the Vir proteins. In a special case, the Rickettsiales vir homolog (rvh) P-T4SS comprises unprecedented gene family expansion. rvh contains three families of gene duplications (rvhB9, rvhB8, rvhB4): RvhB9,8,4-I are conserved relative to equivalents in other P-T4SSs, while RvhB9,8,4-II have evolved atypical features that deviate substantially from other homologs. Furthermore, rvh contains five VirB6-like genes (rvhB6a-e), which are tandemly arrayed and contain large N- and C-terminal extensions. Our work herein focuses on the complexity underpinned by rvh gene family expansion. Furthermore, we describe an RvhB10 insertion, which occurs in a region that forms the T4SS pore. The significance of these curious properties to rvh structure and function is evaluated, shedding light on a highly complex T4SS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph J Gillespie
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 685 W. Baltimore St., HSF I Suite 380, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Isabelle Q H Phan
- Seattle Structural Genomics Center for Infectious Disease, 307 Westlake Ave North, Seattle, WA 98109, USA Center for Infectious Disease Research (formerly Seattle Biomedical Research Institute), Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Timothy P Driscoll
- Department of Biology, West Virginia University, Life Sciences Building, PO Box 6057, Morgantown, WV 26506-6201, USA
| | - Mark L Guillotte
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 685 W. Baltimore St., HSF I Suite 380, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Stephanie S Lehman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 685 W. Baltimore St., HSF I Suite 380, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Kristen E Rennoll-Bankert
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 685 W. Baltimore St., HSF I Suite 380, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Sandhya Subramanian
- Seattle Structural Genomics Center for Infectious Disease, 307 Westlake Ave North, Seattle, WA 98109, USA Center for Infectious Disease Research (formerly Seattle Biomedical Research Institute), Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Magda Beier-Sexton
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 685 W. Baltimore St., HSF I Suite 380, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Peter J Myler
- Seattle Structural Genomics Center for Infectious Disease, 307 Westlake Ave North, Seattle, WA 98109, USA Center for Infectious Disease Research (formerly Seattle Biomedical Research Institute), Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - M Sayeedur Rahman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 685 W. Baltimore St., HSF I Suite 380, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Abdu F Azad
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 685 W. Baltimore St., HSF I Suite 380, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
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Rennoll-Bankert KE, Rahman MS, Gillespie JJ, Guillotte ML, Kaur SJ, Lehman SS, Beier-Sexton M, Azad AF. Which Way In? The RalF Arf-GEF Orchestrates Rickettsia Host Cell Invasion. PLoS Pathog 2015; 11:e1005115. [PMID: 26291822 PMCID: PMC4546372 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1005115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2015] [Accepted: 07/28/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial Sec7-domain-containing proteins (RalF) are known only from species of Legionella and Rickettsia, which have facultative and obligate intracellular lifestyles, respectively. L. pneumophila RalF, a type IV secretion system (T4SS) effector, is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) of ADP-ribosylation factors (Arfs), activating and recruiting host Arf1 to the Legionella-containing vacuole. In contrast, previous in vitro studies showed R. prowazekii (Typhus Group) RalF is a functional Arf-GEF that localizes to the host plasma membrane and interacts with the actin cytoskeleton via a unique C-terminal domain. As RalF is differentially encoded across Rickettsia species (e.g., pseudogenized in all Spotted Fever Group species), it may function in lineage-specific biology and pathogenicity. Herein, we demonstrate RalF of R. typhi (Typhus Group) interacts with the Rickettsia T4SS coupling protein (RvhD4) via its proximal C-terminal sequence. RalF is expressed early during infection, with its inactivation via antibody blocking significantly reducing R. typhi host cell invasion. For R. typhi and R. felis (Transitional Group), RalF ectopic expression revealed subcellular localization with the host plasma membrane and actin cytoskeleton. Remarkably, R. bellii (Ancestral Group) RalF showed perinuclear localization reminiscent of ectopically expressed Legionella RalF, for which it shares several structural features. For R. typhi, RalF co-localization with Arf6 and PI(4,5)P2 at entry foci on the host plasma membrane was determined to be critical for invasion. Thus, we propose recruitment of PI(4,5)P2 at entry foci, mediated by RalF activation of Arf6, initiates actin remodeling and ultimately facilitates bacterial invasion. Collectively, our characterization of RalF as an invasin suggests that, despite carrying a similar Arf-GEF unknown from other bacteria, different intracellular lifestyles across Rickettsia and Legionella species have driven divergent roles for RalF during infection. Furthermore, our identification of lineage-specific Arf-GEF utilization across some rickettsial species illustrates different pathogenicity factors that define diverse agents of rickettsial diseases. Phylogenomics analysis indicates divergent mechanisms for host cell invasion across diverse species of obligate intracellular Rickettsia. For instance, only some Rickettsia species carry RalF, the rare bacterial Arf-GEF effector utilized by Legionella pneumophila to facilitate fusion of ER-derived membranes with its host-derived vacuole. For R. prowazekii (Typhus Group, TG), prior in vitro studies suggested the Arf-GEF activity of RalF, which is absent from Spotted Fever Group species, might be spatially regulated at the host plasma membrane. Herein, we demonstrate RalF of R. typhi (TG) and R. felis (Transitional Group) localizes to the host plasma membrane, yet R. bellii (Ancestral Group) RalF shows perinuclear localization reminiscent of RalF-mediated recruitment of Arf1 by L. pneumophila to its vacuole. For R. typhi, RalF expression occurs early during infection, with RalF inactivation significantly reducing host cell invasion. Furthermore, RalF co-localization with Arf6 and the phosphoinositide PI(4,5)P2 at the host plasma membrane was determined to be critical for R. typhi invasion. Thus, our work illustrates that different intracellular lifestyles across species of Rickettsia and Legionella have driven divergent roles for RalF during host cell infection. Collectively, we identify lineage-specific Arf-GEF utilization across diverse rickettsial species, previously unappreciated mechanisms for host cell invasion and infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen E. Rennoll-Bankert
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - M. Sayeedur Rahman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Joseph J. Gillespie
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Mark L. Guillotte
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Simran J. Kaur
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Stephanie S. Lehman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Magda Beier-Sexton
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Abdu F. Azad
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Abstract
Ophthalmia neonatorum is defined as conjunctivitis appearing during the first month of life. The differential diagnosis includes chemical, bacterial, viral, and other pathogens, including Neisseria gonorrhoeae, herpes simplex, and Chlamydia trachomatis. Neisseria meningitidis is not commonly specifically included in the differential.
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Affiliation(s)
- S S Lehman
- The duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, Delaware 19899, USA.
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8
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Affiliation(s)
- S S Lehman
- Department of Surgery, duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, Delaware 19899, USA
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9
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Abstract
Anisometropic amblyopia is a unilateral visual-acuity reduction secondary to suppression of a constantly blurred image in the eye with the greater uncorrected refractive error. The refractive error may be farsightedness (hyperopia), nearsightedness (myopia), and/or irregular curvature of the cornea (astigmatism). Children with anisometropic amblyopia have good visual acuity in one eye and usually have straight eyes. These factors, combined with peekingfrom under the occluder by the child during visual screening, may allow monocular reduced visual acuity to go undetected. Delay in diagnosis and treatment may result in an irreversible decrease in visual acuity. Other types of amblyopia will be discussed. Two cases are presented to illustrate these points. Suggestions for refining and improving basic screening technique will be made.
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