Virulence properties of erysipelas-associated group A streptococci.
Group A streptococcal isolates (n = 53) recovered from 38 erysipelas patients in 1988 and 1990 in Sweden were analysed with respect to serotype, erythrogenic toxin production and polymorphism in the emm gene region. Serotype determination showed a dominance of type T1M1 (28.6% of the strains), but T type 8 was also prevalent (14.3%). In the majority of the strains only a low production of erythrogenic toxin A was demonstrated, while both toxin B and C production were high. Polymorphism was detected in the emm gene region of T1M1 strains at a frequency of 64%. These erysipelas associated group A streptococci were more heterogenic with respect to serotype distribution and polymorphism in the emm gene region compared to previously studied group A streptococci isolated during an outbreak of serious streptococcal infections in Sweden in 1988/1989. The material included isolates from two cases of recurrence, and typing of the isolates indicated that the patients had been infected by the same serotype as in the primary infection.
Norrby
A
A
Department of Clinical Bacteriology, University of Umeå, Sweden.
Eriksson
B
B
Norgren
M
M
Rönström
C J
CJ
Sjöblom
A C
AC
Karkkonen
K
K
Holm
S E
SE
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000032:analysis; D004886:Erysipelas / Q000382:microbiology*; D005798:Genes, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012703:Serotyping; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000145:classification / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D014774:Virulence
D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D004731:Endotoxins