Pathogenesis of Streptococci Flashcards
How are Streptococci Identified?
Through lancefield grouping
List the different groups of strep with an example, area of infection and disease caused
Group A: S pyogenes, Skin/throat, many
Group B: S algalactiae, Female GT/GIT, Neonatal meningitis
Group D: Enterococcus, Oral/GIT/Female GT, UTI/endocarditis
What form of haemolysis is Group A strep? what are some characteristics
B Haemolytic
Pyogenic (pus forming)
Sensitive to bacitracin
What are 2 examples of respiratory infections and skin infections caused by Strep
Respiratory infections:
Acute pharyngitis (strep throat)
Scarlet fever
Skin infections: Impetigo Erysipelas Cellulitis necrotising fascilitis Toxic shock syndrome Acute rheumatic fever
Explain sequelae of skin or throat infections with strep
Acute glomerulonephritis may occur which may result in kidney failure
Explain what hyaluronic acid capsules are and their purpose (strep)
- causes bacteria to look mucoid in appeatance
- varies slightly strain to strain
- anti-phagocytic properties (interference with the interaction of bound C3b complement with phagocytes, non-immunogenic)
How are M-proteins able to bind to many mammalian proteins (strep)
- Fibrogen (adhesion by forming complex to adhere to platelet
- Serum albumin (masking of bacteria, bacteria looks like host protein, able to bind to Fc region of IgG)
- Factor H (regulatory protein for alternative complement pathway, complement C3b mediator and degrades it, prevents completion of complement cascade)
What does an M-protein look like under an electron micrograph (strep)
Appears as har like structures
What are the 3 regions of M-proteins (strep)
- A repeat (high variability)
- B repeat (High variability)
- C repeat (Highly conserved)
How many M-protein sero-types are there? How are they defined (strep)
- > 80
- Based on difference in A and B regions
Not all M proteins exhibit the same function, which M proteins bind fibronectin and which do not? (strep)
- M3 binds fibronectin
- M5 and M24 do not bind Fibronectin
What gene encodes M proteins (strep)
- Emm genes
How many bp and amino acid residues are in M1? (strep)
- 1452 bp
- 482 amino acid residues
Explain the gene structure of M proteins (strep)
- 1-3 emm proteins in tandem
- 4 subfamilies (SF1-SF4) with 3’ end conserved
- 5 pattern (A-E) (content and arrangement)
- Serotype determinant (5’ end variable region, Emm types >150)
What are the 3 steps in basic mechanisms of pathogenesis (strep)
- Invade and spread through tissue
- Production of toxins
- Provoke an autoimmune response