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==Introduction==
''Streptococcus suis'' is best known for causing '''multisystemic disease and mortality in pigs and septicaemia in poultry'''. It is one of the [[Streptococci|''Streptococcus'' genus]] of '''gram positive cocci [[Bacteria|bacteria]]'''.
There are many serotypes of ''S. suis'', most clinical infections generate isolates of capsule types 1-8. '''Capsule type 2''' is responsible for most human infections
==Lifecycle==
The bacterium is a '''commensal of healthy pigs''' and is carried in the '''tonsils''' of asymptomatic carrier pigs. It is transmitted via '''respiratory secretions, ingestion of faeces or exudates or vertically from sows'''. Disease usually presents after a stressful incident allows '''opportunistic infection''' by resident microflora from the respiratory or gastrointestinal tracts.
==Pathogenesis==
[[Category:To_Do_-_Bacteria]][[Category:To Do - Medium]]
Virulence factors for ''S. suis'' include '''fimbriae, haemagglutinins, capsular antigens, cell wall proteins, IgG binding proteins and haemolysins'''. The capsule protects the bacteria from phagocytosis.<ref>Smith, H. E., Damman, M., Velde, Jvan der., Wagenaar, F., Wisselink, H. J., Stockhofe-Zurwieden, N., Smits, M. A (1999) '''Identification and characterization of the cps locus of Streptococcus suis serotype 2: the capsule protects against phagocytosis and is an important virulence factor'''. Infection and Immunity, 67(4):1750-1756; 43</ref>
==Diseases==
Disease is often '''multisystemic''' and includes meningitis, arthritis, Pericarditis, pneumonia, endocarditis, rhinitis and septicaemia most notably in pigs and poultry but also in cattle, horses, dogs, cats and people. ''S. suis'' is a '''zoonosis of utmost importance.'''
See [[Streptococcus & Enterococcus Infections - Pigs]] and [[Streptococcus & Enterococcus Infections - Poultry]] for details.
{{Learning
|flashcards = [[Streptococcus suis Flashcards|''S. suis'' Flashcards]]
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==References==
<references/>
Animal Health & Production Compendium, '''Streptococcus suis datasheet''', accessed 04/06/2011 @ http://www.cabi.org/ahpc/
[[Category:Streptococcus_species]][[Category:To Do - CABI review]]