10th Edition of
World Congress on Infectious Diseases & One Health
October 05-07, 2026 | Tokyo, Japan
Streptococcus pyogenes, the causative agent of Group A Streptococcal (GAS) infections, employs an array of virulence factors that contribute to its pathogenicity. Adhesins and surface proteins enable GAS to attach to host tissues, promoting colonization and evasion of the immune system. Additionally, streptolysins and other toxins facilitate tissue damage and immune evasion during infection. The M protein, a major surface protein of S. pyogenes, plays a crucial role in virulence and immune evasion. Variability in the M protein allows the bacterium to evade host immune responses, contributing to the persistence of GAS infections. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of GAS pathogenesis is essential for developing targeted therapeutic strategies and vaccines. Efforts to develop a vaccine against Streptococcus pyogenes face challenges due to the variability of the M protein and the potential for autoimmune reactions. Several vaccine candidates are in various stages of development, aiming to induce protective immune responses without triggering harmful side effects. These vaccines often target conserved regions of the bacterial cell wall or utilize modified M protein fragments to stimulate immune responses. The quest for an effective GAS vaccine involves a balance between addressing the bacterium's antigenic diversity and avoiding autoimmunity. Research continues to explore innovative approaches to overcome these challenges and provide a safe and broadly protective vaccine against Group A Streptococcal Infections.
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