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Pneumococcal surface protein C contributes to sepsis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae in mice

Francesco Iannelli1, Damiana Chiavolini, Susanna Ricci

  • 1Department of Molecular Biology, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy. iannelli@unisi.it

Infection and Immunity
|April 23, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Pneumococcal surface protein C (PspC) significantly contributes to Streptococcus pneumoniae sepsis development. Mice infected with PspC-deficient strains showed increased survival, indicating PspC

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Streptococcus pneumoniae causes sepsis.
  • Pneumococcal surface protein C (PspC) is a virulence factor.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate the role of PspC in pneumococcal sepsis.

Main Methods:

  • Generated pspC deletion mutants in S. pneumoniae strains D39 and A66.
  • Infected mice intravenously with wild-type and mutant strains.
  • Assessed survival rates and determined 50% lethal dose (LD50).

Main Results:

  • Mice infected with pspC mutants showed significantly increased survival.
  • LD50 for mutant strains was up to 250-fold higher than wild-type.
  • PspC is crucial for sepsis development.

Conclusions:

  • PspC plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of Streptococcus pneumoniae sepsis.
  • Targeting PspC may be a therapeutic strategy against pneumococcal sepsis.

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