Utilisation of the human plasminogen activation system by group A streptococci: contribution to virulence and disease

Funded Activity Summary

Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococci; GAS) is a bacterium which causes human skin and throat infections as well as highly invasive diseases including the flesh eating disease necrotising fasciitis. Additionally, serious sequelae, including rheumatic fever and acute glomeulonephritis, may result following infection. Such diseases cause high morbidity and mortality in Aboriginal populations and are a continual significant drain on the national health fund. An important mode of invasion by GAS may be related to their ability to capture and activate host plasminogen via surface-associated or secreted plasminogen binding proteins (receptors). Plasminogen can be activated by host activators or secreted GAS streptokinase to the potent enzyme plasmin which is responsible for the degradation of tissue barriers. Thus, GAS may utilise plasmin to destroy tissue barriers and invade host tissues. The characterisation of the interaction between GAS and the plasminogen activation system would clarify the role of this system in invasive disease and provide potential targets for therapeutic intervention.

Funded Activity Details

Start Date: 01-01-2004

End Date: 01-01-2006

Funding Scheme: NHMRC Project Grants

Funding Amount: $254,250.00

Funder: National Health and Medical Research Council

Research Topics

ANZSRC Field of Research (FoR)

Medical Bacteriology

ANZSRC Socio-Economic Objective (SEO)

There are no SEO codes available for this funding activity

Other Keywords

bacteraemia | bacterial pathogen | host/pathogen interaction | infectious diseases | necrotising fasciitis | plasminogen | streptococcal infection | streptococcal invasive deisease | streptococcus

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