Question

Compare and contract virulence factors associated with Staphylococcus and Streptococcus. Which is more difficult to treat?

Answer 1

Virulence factors associated with streptococci:
1. Pyrogenic exotoxins which are known to cause streptococcal toxic syndrome or scarlet fever.
2. The enzyme streptolysin S is known to destroy red blood cells.
3. DNAses
4. C5a peptidase is known to block chemotaxis.
5. Streptokinases are known to lyse clots.

Virulence factors associated with staphylococcus:
1. Protein A prevents opsonization of cell.
2. Exotoxins like panton destroys white blood cells.
3. Exotoxin like exfoliatin is known to cause scaled skin syndrome.
4. Exoenzymes like Hyaluronidases, hemolysins are known to destroy tissues, red blood cells
respectively.

Infection by staphylococcus are most difficult to treat owing to their prevalent blood
infections.