The research, published in the Current Biology journal, focuses on the major human pathogen group A Streptococcus. Strep is responsible for a wide range of diseases - from simple throat and skin infections to life-threatening conditions such as necrotizing fasciitis ("flesh-eating disease") and toxic shock syndrome.
Victor Nizet, M.D., says, "These findings suggest a novel approach to treating serious Strep infections, such as flesh-eating disease, by assisting our body's own defense system."
The researchers examined the interaction of Strep bacteria with neutrophils, specialized white blood cells that play a front line role in human's immune defense against pathogenic microbes.
In the current study, the scientists proved that disease-causing Strep release an enzyme that degrades these DNA nets, thereby allowing the organism to spread in body tissues.
