Strep Bacteria and the Immune System

Researchers have discovered how Strep bacteria are able to survive and spread throughout the body. The bacteria produce a substance, SpyCEP, that inhibits the ability of immune system cells to respond to an infection. SpyCEP (Strep. pyogenes cell envelope protease) interferes with the production of a certain molecule in the body that sends signals to white blood cells when there is an infection. As a result, the bacteria go undetected until it is too late and the infection spreads.

In the study, the researchers isolated the Strep bacteria and removed the gene responsible for producing SpyCEP. They discovered that without the ability to produce SpyCEP, white blood cells were able to detect and destroy the bacteria. The study was conducted with group A Streptococcus bacteria. This pathogen strain is responsible for several types of diseases including strep throat and "flesh-eating disease."

Learn more about this study, see:

• How Flesh-eating Bacteria Attack The Body's Immune System (Science Daily)