Saliva-Induced Clotting Captures Streptococci : Novel Roles for Coagulation and Fibrinolysis in Host Defense and Immune Evasion
Streptococcal pharyngitis is among the most common bacterial infections, but the molecular mechanisms involved remain poorly understood. Here we investigate the interactions among three major players in streptococcal pharyngitis: streptococci, plasma, and saliva. We find that saliva activates the plasma coagulation system through both the extrinsic and the intrinsic pathways, entrapping the bacter