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Streptococcal neuraminidase and acute glomerulonephritis
Infection and Immunity
|December 1, 1982
Summary
Streptococcal neuraminidase may not cause acute glomerulonephritis. Researchers found limited evidence linking this enzyme to the disease in patients, despite its presence in some related bacteria.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Nephrology
Background:
- Streptococcal infections are linked to post-infectious glomerulonephritis.
- Neuraminidase, an enzyme produced by some bacteria, was hypothesized to trigger autoimmune responses leading to kidney disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of streptococcal neuraminidase in the pathogenesis of acute glomerulonephritis.
- To determine if neuraminidase activity is elevated in patients with acute glomerulonephritis.
Main Methods:
- Assayed neuraminidase production in various streptococcal strains.
- Compared neuraminidase activity in sera from patients with acute glomerulonephritis, rheumatic fever, and healthy controls.
Main Results:
- T-type 4 and T-type 12 streptococci, associated with glomerulonephritis, were confirmed to produce neuraminidase.
- No neuraminidase was detected in 23 streptococcal strains from nephritis patients.
- Neuraminidase was produced by strains from patients with rheumatic fever and scarlet fever.
- No increased neuraminidase activity was found in the sera of patients with acute glomerulonephritis.
Conclusions:
- The study found no direct evidence supporting streptococcal neuraminidase as a cause of acute glomerulonephritis.
- The hypothesis that streptococcal neuraminidase alters immunoglobulin G to induce autoimmune responses and glomerulonephritis was not supported by these findings.