User:Mbangert/Pneumolysin

Pneumolysin is a putative virulence factor of the gram positive bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae.

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

Secreted pneumolysin will aid the bacteria during colonization, by facilitating adherence to the host, during invasion by damaging host cells , and during infection by interfering with the host immune response.

The presence of pneumolys in sputum, urine , CSF and blood can be indicative of an S. pneumoniae infection.