In the process of studying how bacteria cause disease, it was found that a rare mutant of a pathogenic strain failed to form a capsule. Which one of the following statements is the most accurate in regard to this unencapsulated mutant strain?
A.
It was nonpathogenic primarily because it was easily phagocytized.
B.
It was nonpathogenic primarily because it could not invade tissue.
C.
It was nonpathogenic primarily because it could only grow anaerobically.
D.
It was highly pathogenic because it could secrete larger amounts of exotoxin.
E.
It was highly pathogenic because it could secrete larger amounts of endotoxin.