Streptococcus pneumoniae Capsular Polysaccharide

The polysaccharide capsule of is the dominant surface structure of the organism and plays a critical role in virulence, principally by interfering with host opsonophagocytic clearance mechanisms. The capsule is the target of current pneumococcal vaccines, but there are 98 currently recognised polysa...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Microbiology spectrum 2019-03, Vol.7 (2)
Main Authors: Paton, James C, Trappetti, Claudia
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Bacterial Capsules
Bacterial Capsules - genetics
Bacterial Capsules - immunology
Bacterial Capsules - metabolism
Bacterial Capsules - physiology
Humans
Pathogenesis
Pneumococcal Vaccines - administration & dosage
Pneumococcal Vaccines - immunology
Polysaccharides, Bacterial
Polysaccharides, Bacterial - biosynthesis
Polysaccharides, Bacterial - genetics
Polysaccharides, Bacterial - immunology
Polysaccharides, Bacterial - physiology
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Streptococcus pneumoniae - immunology
Streptococcus pneumoniae - metabolism
Streptococcus pneumoniae - pathogenicity
Streptococcus pneumoniae - physiology
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Summary:The polysaccharide capsule of is the dominant surface structure of the organism and plays a critical role in virulence, principally by interfering with host opsonophagocytic clearance mechanisms. The capsule is the target of current pneumococcal vaccines, but there are 98 currently recognised polysaccharide serotypes and protection is strictly serotype-specific. Widespread use of these vaccines is driving changes in serotype prevalence in both carriage and disease. This chapter summarises current knowledge on the role of the capsule and its regulation in pathogenesis, the mechanisms of capsule synthesis, the genetic basis for serotype differences, and provides insights into how so many structurally distinct capsular serotypes have evolved. Such knowledge will inform ongoing refinement of pneumococcal vaccination strategies.
ISSN:2165-0497
2165-0497
DOI:10.1128/microbiolspec.GPP3-0019-2018