A new Streptococcus group A M-29 variant isolated during a suspected common-source epidemic.
In the summer of 1988, a large epidemic of acute pharyngitis occurred in an Israeli military base. The clinical features were those of acute pharyngitis. The epidemic curve was characteristic of a common-source outbreak, possibly food-borne. Throat swabs from a sample of cases were positive for group A streptococci. Nine isolates from the epidemic were further evaluated at the local reference laboratory and serotyping showed that all were of the same strain with a distinct M protein that is a hitherto undescribed variant of M-29. We discuss the significance of unusual strains of beta-hemolytic Streptococcus appearing in food-borne outbreaks.
Gillis
D
D
Israel Defence Forces, Medical Corps.
Cohen
D
D
Beck
A
A
Rouach
T
T
Katzenelson
E
E
Green
M
M
D000208:Acute Disease; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000145:classification*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005260:Female; D005502:Food / Q000009:adverse effects; D005511:Food Handling; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*
D001426:Bacterial Proteins