The ability of smooth and rough strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae to activate human complement by the alternative pathway.
Three capsulate pneumococcal strains of serotypes 1, 2 ans 3, and one non-capsulate strain of serotype 47, were found to activate human complement by the alternative pathway to a similar extent over the concentration range examined. Nevertheless, the capsulate strains, in contrast to the non-capsulate, are known to require complement attachment for phagocytosis and it is therefore postulated that the toxic by-products released cause the wave of oedema characteristic of pneumococcal lobar pneumonia.
D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D003176:Complement C3; D006801:Humans; D007123:Immunoelectrophoresis, Two-Dimensional; D008722:Methods; D010316:Particle Size; D010587:Phagocytosis; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000472:pathogenicity; D014774:Virulence
D003176:Complement C3