The gene encoding a new mitogenic factor in a Streptococcus pyogenes strain is distributed only in group A streptococci.
We recently cloned a gene encoding a new mitogenic factor (MF) from Streptococcus pyogenes NY-5. In the present study, we determined the distribution of this MF gene (mf) by PCR based upon its sequence. Of 371 streptococcal group A strains isolated from clinical specimens, 370 (99.7%) were positive for mf. The strain that was negative for the MF gene was also negative for the streptolysin O gene (slo). Some streptococcal strains belonging to groups C and G were negative for mf but positive for slo. Group B strains were negative for both. Furthermore, we examined the presence of mf in 54 strains belonging to 28 families and found mf only in group A streptococci. These results indicate that mf is distributed specifically in group A streptococci and the presence of mf in clinical samples strongly suggests infection with group A streptococci.
Yutsudo
T
T
Shionogi Institute for Medical Science, Osaka, Japan.
Okumura
K
K
Iwasaki
M
M
Hara
A
A
Kamitani
S
S
Minamide
W
W
Igarashi
H
H
Hinuma
Y
Y
D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D001483:Base Sequence; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D008934:Mitogens / Q000235:genetics*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000235:genetics; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D008934:Mitogens; C083356:mitogenic factor, Streptococcus