title: Streptococcal toxins: role in pathogenesis and disease.
abstract: Group A Streptococcus (Streptococcus pyogenes), group B Streptococcus (Streptococcus agalactiae) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) are host-adapted bacterial pathogens among the leading infectious causes of human morbidity and mortality. These microbes and related members of the genus Streptococcus produce an array of toxins that act against human cells or tissues, resulting in impaired immune responses and subversion of host physiological processes to benefit the invading microorganism. This toxin repertoire includes haemolysins, proteases, superantigens and other agents that ultimately enhance colonization and survival within the host and promote dissemination of the pathogen.
authors.affiliation: Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre and School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Timothy C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Barnett
authors.affiliation: Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre and School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia.|Department of Pediatrics and Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA.
authors.forename: Jason N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Cole
authors.affiliation: Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre and School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Tania
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rivera-Hernandez
authors.affiliation: Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre and School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia.|Department of Pediatrics and Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Henningham
authors.affiliation: Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: James C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Paton
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics and Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA.
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Nizet
authors.affiliation: Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre and School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Mark J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Walker
mesh_terms: D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000378:metabolism*; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D006801:Humans; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D037521:Virulence Factors