Open AccessThe Ability of Smooth and Rough Strains of Streptococcus Pneumoniae to Activate Human Complement by the Alternative Pathway
Author(s) -
Morven S. Edwards,
J. M. Stark
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
journal of medical microbiology/journal of medical microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.91
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1473-5644
pISSN - 0022-2615
DOI - 10.1099/00222615-11-1-7
Subject(s) - streptococcus pneumoniae , phagocytosis , complement (music) , biology , serotype , microbiology and biotechnology , streptococcaceae , alternative complement pathway , complement system , virology , antibody , immunology , genetics , phenotype , gene , antibiotics , complementation
Three capsulate pneumococcal strains of serotypes 1, 2 ans 3, and one non-capsulate strain of serotype 47, were found to activate human complement by the alternative pathway to a similar extent over the concentration range examined. Nevertheless, the capsulate strains, in contrast to the non-capsulate, are known to require complement attachment for phagocytosis and it is therefore postulated that the toxic by-products released cause the wave of oedema characteristic of pneumococcal lobar pneumonia.