RNA thermosensors facilitate Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae immune evasion

Bacterial meningitis is a major cause of death and disability in children worldwide. Two human restricted respiratory pathogens, Streptococcus pneumoniae Haemophilus influenzae , are the causative agents bacterial meningitis, attributing to 200,000 deaths annually. These pathogens often part nasopharyngeal microflora healthy carriers. However, what factors elicit them disseminate invasive diseases, remain unknown. Elevated temperature fever hallmarks inflammation triggered by infections can act as warning signals pathogens. Here, we investigate whether these sense environmental evade host complement-mediated killing. We show that productions two vital virulence vaccine components, polysaccharide capsules factor H binding proteins, dependent, thus influencing serum/opsonophagocytic killing bacteria. identify characterise four novel RNA thermosensors S . responsible for capsular biosynthesis production proteins. Our data suggest bacteria might have independently co-evolved thermosensing abilities with different sequences but distinct secondary structures immune system.