Potential SpyCEP antagonists modelled on CXCL8 but with reduced CXCR1 and CXCR2 activity have previously been described [14, 15] and could in theory provide adjuvant therapies for more severe invasive streptococcal infections that fail to respond to antibacterial agents alone. This evidence concerns the gene CXCR1 and streptococcal infection.