From Infection to Autoimmunity: <i>S. pyogenes</i> as a Model Pathogen
Group A β-hemolytic Streptococcus (GAS) is a Gram-positive, coccoid-shaped bacterium that tends to grow in chains; it is a non-spore-forming, facultatively anaerobic, catalase-negative, aerobic bacterium. It is known to cause a wide range of infections in children, ranging from mild upper respirator...
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| author | Virginia Girlando Luisa De Angelis Gianluca D’Egidio Armando Di Ludovico Luciana Breda |
| author_facet | Virginia Girlando Luisa De Angelis Gianluca D’Egidio Armando Di Ludovico Luciana Breda |
| author_sort | Virginia Girlando |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Group A β-hemolytic Streptococcus (GAS) is a Gram-positive, coccoid-shaped bacterium that tends to grow in chains; it is a non-spore-forming, facultatively anaerobic, catalase-negative, aerobic bacterium. It is known to cause a wide range of infections in children, ranging from mild upper respiratory tract infections, such as pharyngitis, to severe invasive disease. GAS also notably triggers post-infectious immune sequelae, including acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis (APSGN), acute rheumatic fever (ARF), and rheumatic heart disease (RHD), which are major health burdens, especially in low-income countries. In this review, we will present the general characteristics of GAS, highlighting its structural and microbiological features. We will also discuss its pathogenetic mechanisms, especially molecular mimicry, and its ability to cause autoimmune responses. Finally, we will elucidate some of the autoimmune sequelae that mark GAS infections, such as ARF, RHD, APSGN, and guttate psoriasis. Understanding GAS as a model pathogen for infection-induced autoimmunity provides insight into host–pathogen interactions and supports the development of targeted interventions. Emphasis on early diagnosis and antibiotic treatment is essential to reduce the burden of autoimmune complications |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7d375ff8bc9744c18aca66e5eb603582 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-2607 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Microorganisms |
| spelling | doaj-art-7d375ff8bc9744c18aca66e5eb6035822025-08-20T03:27:25ZengMDPI AGMicroorganisms2076-26072025-06-01136139810.3390/microorganisms13061398From Infection to Autoimmunity: <i>S. pyogenes</i> as a Model PathogenVirginia Girlando0Luisa De Angelis1Gianluca D’Egidio2Armando Di Ludovico3Luciana Breda4Pediatric Rheumatology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, SS Annunziata Hospital, Via dei Vestini, 66100 Chieti, ItalyPediatric Rheumatology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, SS Annunziata Hospital, Via dei Vestini, 66100 Chieti, ItalyPediatric Rheumatology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, SS Annunziata Hospital, Via dei Vestini, 66100 Chieti, ItalyPediatric Rheumatology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, SS Annunziata Hospital, Via dei Vestini, 66100 Chieti, ItalyPediatric Rheumatology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, SS Annunziata Hospital, Via dei Vestini, 66100 Chieti, ItalyGroup A β-hemolytic Streptococcus (GAS) is a Gram-positive, coccoid-shaped bacterium that tends to grow in chains; it is a non-spore-forming, facultatively anaerobic, catalase-negative, aerobic bacterium. It is known to cause a wide range of infections in children, ranging from mild upper respiratory tract infections, such as pharyngitis, to severe invasive disease. GAS also notably triggers post-infectious immune sequelae, including acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis (APSGN), acute rheumatic fever (ARF), and rheumatic heart disease (RHD), which are major health burdens, especially in low-income countries. In this review, we will present the general characteristics of GAS, highlighting its structural and microbiological features. We will also discuss its pathogenetic mechanisms, especially molecular mimicry, and its ability to cause autoimmune responses. Finally, we will elucidate some of the autoimmune sequelae that mark GAS infections, such as ARF, RHD, APSGN, and guttate psoriasis. Understanding GAS as a model pathogen for infection-induced autoimmunity provides insight into host–pathogen interactions and supports the development of targeted interventions. Emphasis on early diagnosis and antibiotic treatment is essential to reduce the burden of autoimmune complicationshttps://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/6/1398group A streptococcusautoimmunemolecular mimicryacute rheumatic feverrheumatic heart diseaseacute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis |
| spellingShingle | Virginia Girlando Luisa De Angelis Gianluca D’Egidio Armando Di Ludovico Luciana Breda From Infection to Autoimmunity: <i>S. pyogenes</i> as a Model Pathogen Microorganisms group A streptococcus autoimmune molecular mimicry acute rheumatic fever rheumatic heart disease acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis |
| title | From Infection to Autoimmunity: <i>S. pyogenes</i> as a Model Pathogen |
| title_full | From Infection to Autoimmunity: <i>S. pyogenes</i> as a Model Pathogen |
| title_fullStr | From Infection to Autoimmunity: <i>S. pyogenes</i> as a Model Pathogen |
| title_full_unstemmed | From Infection to Autoimmunity: <i>S. pyogenes</i> as a Model Pathogen |
| title_short | From Infection to Autoimmunity: <i>S. pyogenes</i> as a Model Pathogen |
| title_sort | from infection to autoimmunity i s pyogenes i as a model pathogen |
| topic | group A streptococcus autoimmune molecular mimicry acute rheumatic fever rheumatic heart disease acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/6/1398 |
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