MOLECULAR ANALYSIS OF VIRULENCE FACTORS OF GROUP B STREPTOCOCCI

Funded Activity Summary

Streptococcus agalactiae, more commonly referred to as group B streptococcus (GBS), is the commonest cause of life-threatening infection (specifically bacteraemia, pneumonia and meningitis) in neonates. Mortality is high even in developed countries where antimicrobial therapy is readily available. In spite of the importance of GBS disease, the precise molecular mechanisms whereby the organism colonizes, invades and damages host tissues are poorly understood. The long term goal of this project is to gain a complete understanding of the pathogenesis of GBS disease and to apply this to development of improved preventative strategies. We propose to carry out a comprehensive molecular characterization of genes encoding putative GBS virulence determinants, with particular reference to those which encode the capacity to adhere to and invade host cells. GBS carrying defined mutations in these genes will be constructed and their virulence will be compared with that of the otherwise isogenic parental GBS. This will enable us to determine the precise contribution of each putative virulence factor to the pathogenesis of disease. Moreover, proteins shown to be important in this process will be tested for vaccine potential.

Funded Activity Details

Start Date: 01-01-2001

End Date: 01-01-2003

Funding Scheme: NHMRC Project Grants

Funding Amount: $211,527.00

Funder: National Health and Medical Research Council

Research Topics

ANZSRC Field of Research (FoR)

Allergy

ANZSRC Socio-Economic Objective (SEO)

There are no SEO codes available for this funding activity

Other Keywords

Group B streptococcal disease | Group B streptococci | Streptococcus agalactiae | meningitis | neonatal infections | pathogenesis of disease | pneumonia | virulence factors

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