Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 20, 2026

Invasion of Human Cells by a Bacterial Pathogen
07:15

Invasion of Human Cells by a Bacterial Pathogen

Published on: March 21, 2011

Surface proteins of Streptococcus agalactiae and related proteins in other bacterial pathogens

Gunnar Lindahl1, Margaretha Stålhammar-Carlemalm, Thomas Areschoug

  • 1Department of Medical Microbiology, Dermatology and Infection, Lund University, Sölvegatan 23, SE-22362 Lund, Sweden. gunnar.lindahl@mmb.lu.se

Clinical Microbiology Reviews
|January 18, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Group B Streptococcus causes serious neonatal infections. Research highlights surface proteins as promising vaccine targets, offering potential for new prevention strategies against this major bacterial pathogen.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Vaccinology

Background:

  • Streptococcus agalactiae (group B Streptococcus) is a primary cause of invasive bacterial disease in neonates.
  • While prophylactic measures have reduced infections, a vaccine is still needed.
  • The S. agalactiae polysaccharide capsule is a known virulence factor and target for protective immunity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize current knowledge on S. agalactiae surface proteins.
  • To focus on proteins with characterized immunochemistry and/or those eliciting protective immunity in animal models.
  • To explore the potential of these surface proteins as vaccine components.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on S. agalactiae surface proteins.
  • Analysis of immunochemical characterization data.
  • Evaluation of protective immunity data from animal models.

Main Results:

  • S. agalactiae surface proteins are involved in host cell interactions, extracellular matrix binding, and immune evasion.
  • Several surface proteins are homologous to those found in other bacterial pathogens.
  • Some S. agalactiae surface proteins have demonstrated the ability to elicit protective immunity in animal studies.

Conclusions:

  • S. agalactiae surface proteins are significant virulence factors and potential vaccine candidates.
  • These proteins offer promise for developing novel vaccines, either as standalone protein-based vaccines or as carriers in conjugate vaccines.
  • Further research into S. agalactiae surface proteins could lead to effective prevention strategies against neonatal infections.

More Related Videos

Immuno-fluorescence Assay of Leptospiral Surface-exposed Proteins10:47

Immuno-fluorescence Assay of Leptospiral Surface-exposed Proteins

Published on: July 1, 2011

Related Concept Videos

Determinants of Bacterial Pathogenicity and Virulence01:20

Determinants of Bacterial Pathogenicity and Virulence

Pathogenic bacteria employ a variety of strategies to establish infections, including the secretion of extracellular enzymes that act as potent virulence factors. These enzymes facilitate bacterial colonization of host tissues and help evade immune surveillance. By targeting structural components of host tissues and interfering with immune mechanisms, these enzymes play a pivotal role in disease progression.Extracellular Enzymes Facilitating Tissue Invasion: Several bacterial pathogens secrete...
Staphylococcal Skin Infections01:29

Staphylococcal Skin Infections

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive coccus that resides harmlessly on the skin and mucous membranes of healthy individuals. When the skin barrier is breached, it can shift from a commensal to an opportunistic pathogen. This transition is facilitated by surface adhesins, such as clumping factor B and S. aureus surface protein G (SasG), which bind to structural proteins, including loricrin and cytokeratin, in the damaged epidermis. Protein A, another key factor, binds the Fc region of...
Streptococcal Pharyngitis01:27

Streptococcal Pharyngitis

Streptococcal pharyngitis, commonly known as “strep throat,” is an acute infection of the oropharyngeal tissues caused by the Gram‑positive Group A Streptococcus (Streptococcus pyogenes). Transmission occurs primarily through respiratory droplets expelled during coughing, sneezing, or talking.Mechanisms of Host Entry and Immune EvasionUpon entering the host, S. pyogenes adheres to the mucosal epithelial cells of the pharynx via surface proteins, notably lipoteichoic acid and the antiphagocytic...
Cytoskeletal Proteins in Bacteria01:29

Cytoskeletal Proteins in Bacteria

Bacterial cells were initially considered simple, randomly organized structures lacking a cytoskeleton. However, the discovery of cytoskeleton homologs in bacteria led to the change of this opinion. Bacterial cytoskeletal filaments regulate the cell shape, cell polarity, cell division, and partitioning of plasmids during cell division. It was later discovered that bacterial cytoskeletal proteins, mainly actin and tubulin homologs, are diverse compared to their eukaryotic counterparts. On the...
Outer Layers of the Cell Envelope01:18

Outer Layers of the Cell Envelope

The outermost layers of prokaryotic cells play a critical role in their survival, virulence, and interaction with the environment. These layers, often composed of polysaccharides, polypeptides, or proteins, form protective and adhesive structures that vary in organization and function.Capsules and Slime LayersCapsules are highly organized, tightly bound layers that firmly attach to the bacterial cell wall. Capsules are usually made of polysaccharides, though some are made of polypeptides. These...
Formation of Lipopolysaccharides01:19

Formation of Lipopolysaccharides

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are crucial components of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, serving both structural and functional roles. It contributes to membrane stability and protects bacteria from host immune responses. LPS is composed of three major regions—lipid A, a core oligosaccharide, and an O antigen. The biosynthesis and assembly of LPS involve a highly coordinated set of enzymatic reactions and transport mechanisms. Additionally, LPS is recognized as an endotoxin, triggering...