∞ generated and posted on 2016.03.18 ∞
Enzyme that cleaves secreted antibody.
IgA is the secreted form of antibody in the body, indeed the most prevalent form of antibody except for as found in serum. An ability to destroy IgA thus can serve as a defense against immune system control, and therefore is secreted by certain bacterial pathogens.
These pathogens notably Haemophilus influenzae type B serovar, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Neisseria gonorrhoeae as well as Neisseria meningitis.