There are several types of bacterial toxins that are categor

There are several types of bacterial toxins that are categorized as spreading factors. One of those is leukocidins. Do the 3 species of staphylococci you\'ve described produce leukocidins? What is their function? How do they work?

Solution

Leukocidins are toxins secreted by Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, and S. pneumoniae

Among the three important Staphylococci, viz., S. aureus, S. epidermidis, and S. saprophiticus, leukocidins play a major role in the pathogenesis of S. aureus.

Leukocidins are toxins that kill leukocytes (lit., Leuko: for leukocytes and caedo: killing) with or without lysis.

In Streptococcus aureus, they attacks neutrophils, disrupt their membrane that leads to the release of the lysosomal contents, thereby, killing them.