Streptococcal cell surface proteins : structure and gene characterisation
Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococci, GAS) is a potent human pathogen known to express a number of cell surface associated virulence factors. It is an established fact that these different surface proteins play an important role during infection. Thus, M family proteins interact with host immune system components allowing streptococci to evade phagocytosis. Another important group of bacte