Dictionary > Streptolysin S

Streptolysin S

Definition
noun
A nonantigenic, oxygen–stable β-hemolytic enzyme produced by some bacteria, especially streptococci
Supplement
Streptolysin is a type of hemolysin produced by or derived from some strains of streptococci. It is a hemolytic exotoxin.
A streptolysin may be streptolysin O or streptolysin S. In 1930s, E. W. Todd was able to identify these two toxins responsible for the ability of group A streptococcus to lyse the erythrocytes of mammals. 1 Streptolysin O is oxygen-labile whereas streptolysin S is oxygen-stable.2 This means that streptolysin S is stable in the presence of atmospheric oxygen. In blood agar, the streptolysin S forms a zone of β hemolysis around the colonies of streptococci grown under routine aerobic conditions. This compound is toxic to leucocytes, platelets and many cell lines.
Compared with streptolysin O that is antigenic, the streptolysin S is not because of its relatively small size.
Abbreviation/Acronym:

  • SLS

Compare:

  • streptolysin O

    • See also:

    Reference(s):

    1 Wessels, M. R. (2005). Streptolysin S. The Journal of Infectious Diseases, 192 (1): 13–15. https://doi.org/10.1086/430625

    2Sierig, G., Cywes, C., Wessels, M. R., & Ashbaugh, C. D. (2003). “Cytotoxic effects of streptolysin o and streptolysin s enhance the virulence of poorly encapsulated group a streptococci”. Infect. Immun. 71 (1): 446–55

    Last updated on July 28th, 2021

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