Polysaccharide Capsules Probably the most important virulence factor of pneumococcus.Capsule’s role in virulence stems from its antiphagocytic activity [1]. Antibodies to pneumococcal cell wall components attach to the surface of the organism and thereby bind complement.

What are the virulence factors of Streptococcus pneumoniae?

Important pneumococcal virulence factors include: Capsule; cell wall; choline-binding protein; pneumococcal surface proteins A and C (PspA and PspC); LPXTG-anchored neuraminidase protein; Hyaluronan lyase (Hyl); Pneumococcal adhesion and virulence A (PavA); Enolase (Eno); Pneumolysin; Autolysin A (LytA); …

Which strain of pneumococcus is virulent?

pneumolysin is a pneumococcal virulence factor; strains in which the pneumolysin structural gene ply has been inactivated by insertional replication mutagenesis exhibited 10- to 100-fold increases in intranasal (in) and intraperitoneal 50% lethal doses (10 , 11).

What are the major virulence factors of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Streptococcus pyogenes?

Virulence factors include enzymes and exotoxins such as streptolysin (hemolysin), hyaluronidase, DNase, streptokinase, and proteases. Polysaccharide Capsulesthey are the major virulence factors of Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus pneumoniae and most strains of Streptococcus.

What are the characteristics of Streptococcus pneumoniae?

Streptococcus pneumoniae cells are Gram-positive lancet cocci (Slender cocci with slightly pointed outer curvature). Usually, they are seen as pairs of cocci (diplococci), but they may also occur alone and in short chains. They are alpha hemolytic when grown on blood agar.

Streptococcus pneumoniae infection and disease

20 related questions found

What is the difference between pneumonia and Streptococcus pneumoniae?

Pneumonia can be caused by a variety of viruses, bacteria, and sometimes fungi. Pneumococcal pneumonia is caused by bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae or Streptococcus. Streptococcus pneumoniae is also called pneumococcus.

What can kill Streptococcus pneumoniae?

J Immunology.

What is the role of Streptococcus pneumoniae?

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a Infectious pathogens kill millions worldwide. Disease caused by this bacterium is classified as pneumococcal disease. This pathogen colonizes the nasopharynx of its host asymptomatically, but over time migrates to sterile tissues and organs and causes infection.

How does Streptococcus enter the body?

These bacteria spread secretions from direct contact with the nose and throat of an infected person or contact with infected wounds or sores on the skin. The risk of spreading infection is highest when a person is sick, such as when people have « strep throat » or an infected wound.

Where is Streptococcus pneumoniae found in the environment?

Streptococcus pneumoniae is mainly found in layer of mucus covering the epithelial surface of the upper respiratory tract.

Which antibiotics can treat Streptococcus pneumoniae?

Penicillin and its derivatives When used to treat susceptible strains, they are inexpensive and effective antibiotics for treating pneumococcal infections. Penicillin can be administered orally or parenterally and works by inhibiting cell wall synthesis.

How does Streptococcus pneumoniae spread?

The spread of Streptococcus pneumoniae occurs in Results of direct human-to-human contact via respiratory droplets. The pneumococcal serotypes that most commonly cause infection are those most common among carriers.

How did you get Streptococcus pneumoniae?

Many people carry the bacteria in their upper respiratory system without getting sick.Streptococcus pneumoniae is Person-to-person transmission through inhalation of respiratory droplets (eg coughing, sneezing) from an infected person.

What is unique about Streptococcus pneumoniae?

Streptococcus pneumoniae is Lancet-shaped, Gram-positive, facultative anaerobes with 100 known serotypes. Most S. pneumoniae serotypes can cause disease, but only a few serotypes cause most pneumococcal infections. Pneumococcus is a common flora of the respiratory tract.

What is the common name for Streptococcus pneumoniae?

pneumococcus [noo-muh-KOK-uhl] Disease is the name given to any infection caused by bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae or pneumococcus.

What is the size of Streptococcus pneumoniae?

Streptococcus pneumoniae is alpha hemolytic (a term describing how cultured bacteria break down red blood cells for classification).individual bacteria are Diameters between 0.5 and 1.25 microns.

Is Streptococcus a Bacteria or a Virus?

Virus is the most common cause of sore throat. However, strep throat is an infection of the throat and tonsils caused by bacteria called group A streptococci (group A strep).

What diseases can streptococci cause?

Streptococcus are Gram-positive aerobes that cause a variety of diseases, including Pharyngitis, pneumonia, wound and skin infections, sepsis and endocarditis.

Can Streptococcus be Treated?

Group A streptococci can be treated with common, cheap antibiotics. Penicillin is the drug of choice for mild and severe disease.

How is Streptococcus pneumoniae diagnosed?

Diagnosis of Streptococcus pneumoniae infection usually relies on isolate the organism from blood or other substances Usually sterile body parts. Tests can also be performed to detect capsular polysaccharide antigens in body fluids.

How is streptococcal pneumonia treated?

pneumococcal pneumonia caused by penicillin-sensitive or moderately resistant microorganisms that respond to penicillin therapy, 1 million units IV every 4 hours, ampicillin, 1 g every 6 hours, or ceftriaxone, 1 g every 24 hours. Ease of administration facilitates the use of ceftriaxone.

How to prevent pneumonia?

vaccination

get Flu vaccine Prevent seasonal flu every year. The flu is a common cause of pneumonia, so preventing the flu is a good way to prevent pneumonia. Children under 5 and adults 65 and older should be vaccinated against pneumococcal pneumonia, a common form of bacterial pneumonia.

How long does it take to recover from Streptococcus pneumoniae?

However, most people recover from pneumonia about a week. Bacterial pneumonia usually begins to improve soon after starting antibiotics, while viral pneumonia usually begins to improve after about three days. The recovery period may be longer if you have a weakened immune system or severe pneumonia.

Is Streptococcus pneumoniae contagious?

Pneumonia spread? Bacteria are spread from person to person through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

Is there a Streptococcus pneumoniae vaccine?

Vaccines help prevent pneumococcal disease, any type of disease caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. There are two pneumococcal vaccines in the United States: Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine or PCV13. Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine or PPSV23.