24 Mar 2025
Breaking antibiotic-resistant bacteria’s protective shields opens door for immune system response, offers insights for managing pneumococcal diseases
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria is a serious public health threat. Understanding the biology of these bacteria—such as how they synthesise their protective capsules—is essential for developing new strategies to counter antibiotic resistance.
Streptococcus pneumoniae is a bacterium commonly found in the upper respiratory tract of humans. While it can exist harmlessly in some individuals, it is also a major pathogen responsible for severe illnesses, particularly in young children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems. Diseases caused by this bacterium, such as pneumonia and meningitis, are life-threatening. The bacterium’s ability to evade the immune system and cause disease is largely due to its capsule, which serves as a protective shield. As a result, this capsule is a primary target for vaccine development.
Researchers at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS Medicine), have made progress in uncovering how Streptococcus pneumoniae constructs its capsule. Their findings reveal that the adaptability of both the capsules and their transport mechanisms may play a crucial role in the bacteria's ability to evolve and diversify, offering insights for managing pneumococcal diseases.
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