Gene elements that regulate Streptococcus pneumoniae virulence and immunity evasion

Streptococcus pneumoniae is one of the most important aetiological agents of bacterial pneumonia and meningitis in the world. This bacterium can cause severe inflammation of lung tissue and disseminate to the central nervous system. Although B cell activation and antibody secretion is considered one of the most important events in the prevention or clearance of bacterial infection by the host, dendritic cells (DCs) and T cells play a fundamental role in the generation of the protective immunity required to prevent the pathogenesis caused by S. pneumoniae infection. Here we review recent studies that have evaluated the impact of DCs and T cells on S. pneumoniae infection and the gene elements encoding virulence factors used by this bacterium to interfere with the appropriate function of these immune cells. This knowledge could be relevant for generating new prophylactic and therapeutic tools and to prevent the severe infection caused by this pathogen.