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Category: Bacterial Pathogenesis
Pathogenicity Factors in Group C and G Streptococci, Page 1 of 2
< Previous page | Next page > /docserver/preview/fulltext/10.1128/9781555816513/9781555813437_Chap17-1.gif /docserver/preview/fulltext/10.1128/9781555816513/9781555813437_Chap17-2.gifAbstract:
Group C and G streptococci constitute a heterogeneous complex of streptococcal species that reside as apathogenic commensals in humans and animals or act as causative agents of severe infection and organ damage associated with high mortality rates. This chapter gives a short overview of the various group C and group G streptococcal species, the diseases they cause, and the major pathogenicity factors that contribute to the virulence of these organisms. It discusses the major factors that enable group C and G streptococci to infect their hosts and cause disease. Such factors include adhesive structures that initiate the infection process, antiphagocytic factors that enable the bacterium to evade the host’s immune system, factors that are potentially involved in spreading in tissues, and factors that specifically bind, degrade, or damage host components. Virulence factors that enable these bacteria to colonize the host, avoid immune responses, and cause disease have been characterized in some detail in Streptococcus dysgalactiae and S. equi. Analysis of the bacterial factors that specifically interact with components of the host has allowed insight into the biochemical principles as well as some functional strategies of these streptococci; analysis has also revealed interesting evolutionary aspects, including convergent development, horizontal spread, and module shuffling. As group C and group G streptococci-associated diseases are coming under greater scrutiny it has become apparent that in many instances the virulence factors of these species have close homologues in S. pyogenes.
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Pathogenicity factors of group C and group G streptococci
Pathogenicity factors of group C and group G streptococci