Necrotizing Enzymes

Necrotizing Enzymes

Many pathogens produce exoenzymes that causes the

destruction of cells and tissues; these are collectively
referred to as Necrotizing enzymes.

Ex. Streptococcus pyogenes & various Clostridium

species
Necrotizing Enzymes
(Necrotizing fasciitis)

(From Harvey RA,

et al. Lippincott’s Illustrated Reviews: Microbiology, 2nd
ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2007.)
Coagulase
Coagulase

Coagulase is a virulence factor that causes clotting of blood plasma.

Coagulase binds to prothrombin, forming a complex called
staphylothrombin

Although the activities of coagulase may not be required for

pathogenicity but could indicate that S. aureus is capable of being
pathogenic.
Kinases
Kinases

also known as fibrinolysins have the opposite effect of

coagulase. Kinases are exoenzymes that lyse (dissolve)
clots.

Streptokinase is the name of a kinase produced by streptococci,

and staphylokinase is the name of a kinase produced by
staphylococci.
Hyaluronidase
Hyaluronidase

Hyaluronidase enables pathogens to spread through

connective tissue by breaking down hyaluronic acid, the
polysaccharide “cement” that holds tissue cells together

Hyaluronidase is secreted by several pathogenic species of

Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Clostridium.
Collagenase
Collagenase

The enzyme collagenase produced by certain pathogens,

breaks down collagen, enabling
pathogens to invade deeper into tissues.

Clostridium perfringens, a major cause of gas gangrene,

spreads deeply within the body by secreting both
collagenase and hyaluronidase.
Hemolysins
Hemolysins

Hemolysins are enzymes that cause damage to the host’s red

blood cells (erythrocytes).

Hemolysins are produced by many pathogenic bacteria, but the

type of hemolysis produced by an organism is of most
importance when attempting to speciate a Streptococcus in the
laboratory.
Lecithinase
Lecithinase

Lecithinase is an exoenzyme that causes destruction of host

cell membranes. It breaks down phospholipids that are
collectively referred to as lecithin

It is one of the enzymes produced by C. perfringens that is able

to rapidly destroy extensive areas of
tissue, especially muscle tissue.
Toxins
 Toxins

Exotoxins are poisonous proteins that are secreted by a

variety of pathogens.

Endotoxin is a component of the cell walls of

Gram-negative bacteria.
Exotoxin are proteins produced inside pathogenic
bacteria, most commonly gram-positive bacteria as part of
their growth and metabolism. The exotoxins are then
secreted or released into the surrounding medium
following lysis

Endotoxins are the lipid portions of

lipopolysaccharides that are part of the outer membrane
of the cell wall of gram-negative bacteria. The
endotoxins are liberated when the bacteria die and the
cell wall breaks apart
Exotoxins
Examples of exotoxins include neurotoxins, enterotoxins,
cytotoxins, exfoliative
toxin, erythrogenic toxin, and diphtheria toxin.

The most potent exotoxins are neurotoxins, which affect the

central nervous system.

Enterotoxins are exotoxins that adversely affect the

gastrointestinal tract, often causing diarrhea and
sometimes vomiting.
Mechanisms by which Pathogens Escape
Immune Responses
Mechanisms by which Pathogens Escape
Immune Responses

● Antigenic Variation
● Camouflage and Molecular Mimicry
● Destruction of Antibodies
Mechanisms by which Pathogens Escape
Immune Responses

● Antigenic Variation

Some pathogens periodically change their surface

antigens, a phenomenon known as antigenic variation.

Examples of pathogens capable of antigenic variation are

influenza viruses, HIV, Borrelia recurrentis, N. gonorrhoeae,
and the trypanosomes that cause African trypanosomiasis.
Mechanisms by which Pathogens Escape
Immune Responses

● Camouflage and Molecular Mimicry

In molecular mimicry, pathogens cover their surface

antigens with host proteins, so the pathogens will not be
recognized as being foreign.
Mechanisms by which Pathogens Escape
Immune Responses

● Destruction of Antibodies
Several bacterial pathogens, including H. influenzae, N.
gonorrhoeae, and streptococci, produce an enzyme (IgA
protease) that destroys IgA antibodies. Thus, these
pathogens are capable of destroying some of the
antibodies that the host’s immune system has produced in
an attempt to destroy them.