Which enzyme produced by S. pyogenes helps it spread through tissue?

Hyaluronidase is the correct answer because it is an enzyme that breaks down hyaluronic acid, a key component of the extracellular matrix in connective tissues. By degrading this substance, hyaluronidase facilitates the spread of Streptococcus pyogenes through the tissues of the host. This action allows the bacteria to invade deeper tissues and evade the host's immune response, contributing to the pathogenesis of infections caused by S. pyogenes, such as necrotizing fasciitis.

Streptolysin S is a pore-forming toxin that contributes to the bacterium’s virulence by damaging host cells, but it does not directly aid in tissue invasion like hyaluronidase does. Catalase is an enzyme that breaks down hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen, and while it is important for protecting bacteria from oxidative stress, it is not involved in tissue spreading. Pyrrolidonyl arylamidase is a test used to differentiate bacterial species based on their ability to hydrolyze specific substrates, but it does not play a role in the spread of bacteria through tissues.