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Life Sciences Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Nova Southeastern University

Journal

2008

Articles 1 - 2 of 2

Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences

Yersiniae Virulence Factors: Type Iii Secretion System, Jessica Blanco Dec 2008

Yersiniae Virulence Factors: Type Iii Secretion System, Jessica Blanco

Mako: NSU Undergraduate Student Journal

Several Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria have evolved a complex protein secretion system termed the Type Three Secretion System (TTSS) to deliver bacterial effector proteins into host-cells that then modulate host-cellular functions. These bacterial devices are evolutionarily related to the flagellar apparatus. Although the TTSSs are substantially conserved among different species, the effector molecules they deliver are species-unique. There exist three human pathogenic Yersiniae. Yersinia enterocolitica and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis cause self-limiting gastro-enteric diseases and infect mesenteric lymph nodes, while Yersinia pestis is transmitted by fleas and can be aerosolized, causing the lethal disease known as plague (also known as Black Death). The …


Streptococcus Pyogenes: A Versatile Human Pathogen, Maria E. Cevallos Dec 2008

Streptococcus Pyogenes: A Versatile Human Pathogen, Maria E. Cevallos

Mako: NSU Undergraduate Student Journal

Streptococcus pyogenes is one of the most medically relevant genera of Gram positive bacteria. S. pyogenes belongs to Group A streptococcus (GAS), the most pathogenic streptococci. S. pyogenes is exclusively a human pathogen that is known for its ability to cause a wide array of infections ranging from superficial pharyngitis and impetigo to invasive life threatening conditions including septicemia, necrotizing fasciitis, and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. The dissemination of S. pyogenes within a human host is dependent upon virulence factors aimed at host immune system evasion leading to infection. More specifically, S. pyogenes’ virulence factors are required for bacterial …