Comparison of epidemic and endemic group G streptococci by restriction enzyme analysis.
Restriction enzyme profiles of group G beta-hemolytic streptococci associated with a point source outbreak and an outbreak of sporadic pharyngitis in two different communities were compared. To asses the epidemiologic utility of this approach for studying group G streptococci, DNA fingerprints of strains responsible for a point source outbreak of pharyngitis associated with the consumption of contaminated food were compared with DNA fingerprints of pharyngeal isolates from children with pharyngitis seen at a pediatric practice during a 6-month period. In each epidemiologic situation, a single strain characterized by a unique restriction enzyme pattern predominated. The results are compatible with the conclusion that human infections could be limited to a few strains of group G streptococci which have the capacity to spread through a given population. The restriction enzyme profiles proved to be a highly specific and precise means of evaluating strain relatedness and of providing further understanding of the epidemiology of group G streptococcal infections.
Martin
N J
NJ
Department of Microbiology, Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis 55413.
Kaplan
E L
EL
Gerber
M A
MA
Menegus
M A
MA
Randolph
M
M
Bell
K
K
Cleary
P P
PP
D003237:Connecticut / Q000453:epidemiology; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005517:Foodborne Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D009518:New York / Q000453:epidemiology; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification
D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes