Potentiation of Opsonization and Phagocytosis of Streptococcus pyogenes following Growth in the Presence of Clindamycin

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Abstract

Streptococcus pyogenes, bearing M-protein on its surface, resists opsonization by normal human serum and subsequent phagocytosis by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Previous studies have shown that M-protein positive organisms are poorly opsonized by the alternate pathway of complement. In an attempt to define further the role of the surface components of S. pyogenes in this process, we examined the ability of clindamycin, an antibiotic that inhibits protein biosynthesis, to alter bacterial opsonization.

Authors

Curtis G. Gemmell, Phillip K. Peterson, David Schmeling, Youngki Kim, John Mathews, Lewis Wannamaker, Paul G. Quie