Is plasminogen deployed as a Streptococcus pyogenes virulence factor?

Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus) causes human skin and throat infections as well as highly invasive diseases including necrotising fasciitis. Group A streptococcal infections and invasive disease have made a resurgence in developed countries over the last two decades. S. pyogenes utilise multiple pathways for the acquisition and activation of human plasminogen, securing potent proteolytic activity on the bacterial cell surface. Recent experimental evidence using a humanised transgenic mouse model suggests a critical role for human plasminogen in the dissemination of S. pyogenes in vivo.