Differences in clinical manifestation of Streptococcus pneumoniae infection are not correlated with in vitro production and release of the virulence factors pneumolysin and lipoteichoic and teichoic acids.
Production and release of the pneumococcal virulence factors pneumolysin and lipoteichoic and teichoic acid in 75 clinical isolates were investigated. No difference was found between strains causing systemic infection or localized respiratory infection and isolates from asymptomatic carriers. This suggests that the presence of pneumolysin and lipoteichoic and teichoic acid is a necessary but not a sufficient condition for pneumococcal infection and development of invasive disease.
Spreer
Annette
A
Department of Neurology, University of Göttingen, Germany.
Lis
Astrid
A
Gerber
Joachim
J
Reinert
Ralf René
RR
Eiffert
Helmut
H
Nau
Roland
R
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D006801:Humans; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D011008:Pneumococcal Infections / Q000150:complications*; D013301:Streptolysins / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D013682:Teichoic Acids / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D013301:Streptolysins; D013682:Teichoic Acids; C032290:plY protein, Streptococcus pneumoniae; C009900:lipoteichoic acid