Association between expression of immunoglobulin G-binding proteins by group A streptococci and virulence in a mouse skin infection model.
In this study, we developed a mouse model of skin infection to test the association between expression of immunoglobulin-binding proteins by and infectivity of group A streptococci. Group A streptococci capable of crossing tissue barriers and establishing a lethal systemic infection in mice showed a higher level of immunoglobulin-binding protein expression. The group A streptococci recovered from the spleen of a mouse that died following a skin infection were found to be more virulent when injected into the skin of naive mice. Together, these results suggest that immunoglobulin-binding protein expression by group A streptococci correlates with their ability to establish invasive skin infections.
Raeder
R
R
Department of Microbiology, Medical College of Ohio, Toledo 43699-0008.
Boyle
M D
MD
D000818:Animals; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000472:pathogenicity*
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; C034284:IgG Fc-binding protein, Streptococcus