Hemolytic Membrane Vesicles of Group B Streptococcus Promote Infection.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Group B streptococci (GBS) are β-hemolytic, Gram-positive bacteria associated with fetal injury, preterm birth, spontaneous abortion, and neonatal infections. A key factor promoting GBS virulence is the β-hemolysin/cytolysin, a pigmented ornithine rhamnolipid (also known as granadaene) associated with the bacterial surface.

Methods

A previous study indicated that GBS produce small structures known as membrane vesicles (MVs), which contain virulence-associated proteins. In this study, we show that GBS MVs are pigmented and hemolytic, indicating that granadaene is functionally active in MVs.

Results

In addition, MVs from hyperhemolytic GBS induced greater cell death of neutrophils, T cells, and B cells compared with MVs from isogenic nonhemolytic GBS, implica

SUBMITTER: Armistead B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8064051 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature