Clin Infect Dis. 2008 Apr 1;46(7):1038-45.

The importance of the group a streptococcus capsule in the pathogenesis of human infections: a historical perspective.

Source

Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Abstract

The virulence of group A streptococci (GAS) correlates closely with expression of its surface antigen, M protein, and its hyaluronic acid capsule. In studies of human GAS infection, the former has received considerable attention. For several decades, however, systematic identification of encapsulated virulent strains by the mucoid colonies they produce has been neglected in clinical studies. In part, this may be due to the capsule's evanescent expression on artificial media, its repression during convalescent carriage, lack of expertise in recognizing its colonial morphology, and the growing tendency for clinical laboratories to eschew throat cultures in favor of rapid laboratory tests for group A polysaccharide. Older and more recent studies are reviewed here that emphasize the capsule's basic role in infection. We believe that it is time to refocus newer clinical studies and techniques on achieving early recognition of potentially dangerous, heavily encapsulated strains of GAS for which spread may be prevented.

PMID:: 18444821; [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Free full text

Publication Types, MeSH Terms, Substances, Grant Support

Publication Types

MeSH Terms

Substances

Grant Support

LinkOut - more resources

Full Text Sources

Supplemental Content

Save items

Related citations in PubMed

Induction of group A Streptococcus virulence by a human antimicrobial peptide. [Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2008]
Induction of group A Streptococcus virulence by a human antimicrobial peptide.
Gryllos I, Tran-Winkler HJ, Cheng MF, Chung H, Bolcome R 3rd, Lu W, Lehrer RI, Wessels MR. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2008 Oct 28; 105(43):16755-60. Epub 2008 Oct 20.
Expression of both M protein and hyaluronic acid capsule by group A streptococcal strains results in a high virulence for chicken embryos. [Med Microbiol Immunol. 1996]
Expression of both M protein and hyaluronic acid capsule by group A streptococcal strains results in a high virulence for chicken embryos.
Schmidt KH, Günther E, Courtney HS. Med Microbiol Immunol. 1996 Feb; 184(4):169-73.
Review Rheumatic fever in the 21st century. [Clin Infect Dis. 2001]
Review Rheumatic fever in the 21st century.
Stollerman GH. Clin Infect Dis. 2001 Sep 15; 33(6):806-14. Epub 2001 Aug 13.
Hyaluronic acid capsule and the role of streptococcal entry into keratinocytes in invasive skin infection. [J Clin Invest. 1996]
Hyaluronic acid capsule and the role of streptococcal entry into keratinocytes in invasive skin infection.
Schrager HM, Rheinwald JG, Wessels MR. J Clin Invest. 1996 Nov 1; 98(9):1954-8.
Review A half-century of streptococcal research: then & now. [Indian J Med Res. 2002]
Review A half-century of streptococcal research: then & now.
Krause RM. Indian J Med Res. 2002 Jun; 115:215-41.

See reviews... See all...

Cited by 10 PubMed Central articles

Host-adaptation of Francisella tularensis alters the bacterium's surface-carbohydrates to hinder effectors of innate and adaptive immunity. [PLoS One. 2011]
Host-adaptation of Francisella tularensis alters the bacterium's surface-carbohydrates to hinder effectors of innate and adaptive immunity.
Zarrella TM, Singh A, Bitsaktsis C, Rahman T, Sahay B, Feustel PJ, Gosselin EJ, Sellati TJ, Hazlett KR. PLoS One. 2011; 6(7):e22335. Epub 2011 Jul 22.
Mapping the protein-protein interface between a toxin and its cognate antitoxin from the bacterial pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes. [Biochemistry. 2011]
Mapping the protein-protein interface between a toxin and its cognate antitoxin from the bacterial pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes.
Sperry JB, Smith CL, Caparon MG, Ellenberger T, Gross ML. Biochemistry. 2011 May 17; 50(19):4038-45. Epub 2011 Apr 19.
Distinct signatures of diversifying selection revealed by genome analysis of respiratory tract and invasive bacterial populations. [Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2011]
Distinct signatures of diversifying selection revealed by genome analysis of respiratory tract and invasive bacterial populations.
Shea PR, Beres SB, Flores AR, Ewbank AL, Gonzalez-Lugo JH, Martagon-Rosado AJ, Martinez-Gutierrez JC, Rehman HA, Serrano-Gonzalez M, Fittipaldi N, et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2011 Mar 22; 108(12):5039-44. Epub 2011 Mar 7.

See all...

Related information

Related Citations
Calculated set of PubMed citations closely related to the selected article(s) retrieved using a word weight algorithm. Related articles are displayed in ranked order from most to least relevant, with the “linked from” citation displayed first.
Cited in PMC
Full-text articles in the PubMed Central Database that cite the current articles.

Recent activity

Clear Turn Off Turn On

The importance of the group a streptococcus capsule in the pathogenesis of human...
The importance of the group a streptococcus capsule in the pathogenesis of human infections: a historical perspective.
Clin Infect Dis. 2008 Apr 1 ;46(7):1038-45.

PubMed
Comparison of pneumococcal conjugate polysaccharide and free polysaccharide vacc...
Comparison of pneumococcal conjugate polysaccharide and free polysaccharide vaccines in elderly adults: conjugate vaccine elicits improved antibacterial immune responses and immunological memory.
Clin Infect Dis. 2008 Apr 1 ;46(7):1015-23.

PubMed
Bleach sedimentation: an opportunity to optimize smear microscopy for tuberculos...
Bleach sedimentation: an opportunity to optimize smear microscopy for tuberculosis diagnosis in settings of high prevalence of HIV.
Clin Infect Dis. 2008 Jun 1 ;46(11):1710-6.

PubMed
Judgments of the lucky across development and culture.
Judgments of the lucky across development and culture.
J Pers Soc Psychol. 2008 May ;94(5):757-76.

PubMed
On the perception of sarcasm in dichotic listening.
On the perception of sarcasm in dichotic listening.
Neuropsychology. 2008 May ;22(3):390-9.

PubMed

Your browsing activity is empty.

Activity recording is turned off.

Turn recording back on

PubMed

Result Filters

Display Settings:

Send to: