Virulence factor

Virulence factor

Virulence factors are molecules produced by a pathogen that specifically cause disease, [MeshName|Virulence+Factors] or that influence their host's function to allow the pathogen to thrive.

Factors that are used in general life processes, such as metabolism or bacterial cell structural components, may be vital to the pathogen's ability to thrive in the host, but are not considered virulence factors since they lack specific function to directly influence the host.

Examples

Examples of virulence factors for "Staphylococcus aureus" are hyaluronidase, protease, coagulase, lipases, deoxyribonucleases and enterotoxins

Some examples of virulence factors for "Streptococcus pyogenes" are M protein, lipoteichoic acid, hyaluronic acid capsul, invasins such as streptokinase, streptodornase, hyaluronidase, spenceronic, dorsettonic, and streptolysins, and excotoxins

Related links

*Virulence

References


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