Abstract
Pili are essential virulence factors in many Gram-negative bacteria; however, they have not been described in most important Gram-positive pathogens. While screening the sequence of multiple genomes of Group B Streptococcus, we identified protective antigens that formed high molecular weight polymers. Immunogold electron microscopy revealed that the structures have a pilus-like form. These large structures have gone unrecognized in decades of studies of Group B Streptococcus.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Antigens, Bacterial / analysis
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Antigens, Bacterial / genetics
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Antigens, Bacterial / immunology
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Antigens, Surface / analysis*
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Antigens, Surface / genetics
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Antigens, Surface / immunology
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Fimbriae, Bacterial / immunology
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Fimbriae, Bacterial / physiology
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Fimbriae, Bacterial / ultrastructure*
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Genome, Bacterial*
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Immunohistochemistry
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Mice
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Microscopy, Immunoelectron
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Operon
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Streptococcal Infections / immunology
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Streptococcus agalactiae / genetics*
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Streptococcus agalactiae / immunology
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Streptococcus agalactiae / pathogenicity
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Streptococcus agalactiae / ultrastructure*
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Virulence
Substances
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Antigens, Bacterial
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Antigens, Surface