Virulence factors Elastase: cause damage to blood vessel walls, resulting in hemorrhagic lesions (ecthyma gangrenosum) Associated with disseminated Pseudomonas infections Pyocyanin: mediates tissue damage through toxic oxygen radicals BIOL 533 7 Lecture 13BIOL 533 7 Lecture 13 Virulence Factors • Elastase: cause damage to blood vessel walls, resulting in hemorrhagic lesions (ecthyma gangrenosum) – Associated with disseminated Pseudomonas infections • Pyocyanin: mediates tissue damage through toxic oxygen radicals