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Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.

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Pneumolysin

Introduction

Overview

Overview

Pneumolysin is a putative virulence factor of the gram-positive bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae.[1]

It is a pore-forming toxin of 53 kDa composed of 471 amino acids.[2] It has a range of biological activities including the ability to lyse[3] and interfere with the function of cells and soluble molecules of the immune system.[4]

Released pneumolysin will aid the bacteria during colonization, by facilitating adherence to the host,[5] during invasion by damaging host cells,[6] and during infection by interfering with the host immune response.[7]

The presence of pneumolysin in sputum,[8] urine,[9] CSF[10] and blood[11] can be indicative of an S. pneumoniae infection.

References

References

  1. ↑ Rossjohn, J (Nov 27, 1998). “The molecular mechanism of pneumolysin, a virulence factor from Streptococcus pneumoniae”. Journal of Molecular Biology. 284 (2): 449–61. doi:10.1006/jmbi.1998.2167. PMID 9813129. Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (help)
  2. ↑ Marriott, HM (September 2008). “Pneumolysin: a double-edged sword during the host-pathogen interaction”. Current molecular medicine. 8 (6): 497–509. PMID 18781957. Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (help)
  3. ↑ Baba, H (Feb 16, 2001). “Essential role of domain 4 of pneumolysin from Streptococcus pneumoniae in cytolytic activity as determined by truncated proteins”. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 281 (1): 37–44. doi:10.1006/bbrc.2001.4297. PMID 11178957. Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (help)
  4. ↑ Hirst, RA (November 2004). “The role of pneumolysin in pneumococcal pneumonia and meningitis”. Clinical and experimental immunology. 138 (2): 195–201. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2249.2004.02611.x. PMC 1809205. PMID 15498026. Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (help)
  5. ↑ Rubins, JB (December 1998). “Pneumolysin in pneumococcal adherence and colonization”. Microbial pathogenesis. 25 (6): 337–42. doi:10.1006/mpat.1998.0239. PMID 9895272. Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (help)
  6. ↑ Rubins, JB (January 1998). “Pneumolysin: a multifunctional pneumococcal virulence factor”. The Journal of laboratory and clinical medicine. 131 (1): 21–7. PMID 9452123. Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (help)
  7. ↑ Cockeran, R (June 2002). “The role of pneumolysin in the pathogenesis of Streptococcus pneumoniae infection”. Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases. 15 (3): 235–9. PMID 12015456. Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (help)
  8. ↑ Wheeler, J (September 1999). “Detection of pneumolysin in sputum”. Journal of Medical Microbiology. 48 (9): 863–6. PMID 10482298. Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (help)
  9. ↑ Rajalakshmi, B (Oct–Dec 2002). “Pneumolysin in urine: a rapid antigen detection method to diagnose pneumococcal pneumonia in children”. Indian journal of medical microbiology. 20 (4): 183–6. PMID 17657067. Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (help)
  10. ↑ Matos Jde, A (August 2006). “Diagnosis of Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis by polymerase chain reaction amplification of the gene for pneumolysin”. Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. 101 (5): 559–63. PMID 17072463. Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (help)
  11. ↑ Lahti, E (December 2006). “Pneumolysin polymerase chain reaction for diagnosis of pneumococcal pneumonia and empyema in children”. European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases. 25 (12): 783–9. doi:10.1007/s10096-006-0225-9. PMID 17089094. Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (help)

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