emm typing and validation of provisional M types for group A streptococci.
This report discusses the following issues related to typing of group A streptococci (GAS): The development and use of the 5' emm variable region sequencing (emm typing) in relation to the existing serologic typing system; the designation of emm types in relation to M types; a system for validation of new emm types; criteria for validation of provisional M types to new M-types; a list of reference type cultures for each of the M-type or emm-type strains of GAS; the results of the first culture exchange program for a quality control testing system among the national and World Health Organization collaborating centers for streptococci; and dissemination of new approaches to typing of GAS to the international streptococcal community.
Facklam
R
R
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA. rrf2@cdc.gov
Beall
B
B
Efstratiou
A
A
Fischetti
V
V
Johnson
D
D
Kaplan
E
E
Kriz
P
P
Lovgren
M
M
Martin
D
D
Schwartz
B
B
Totolian
A
A
Bessen
D
D
Hollingshead
S
S
Rubin
F
F
Scott
J
J
Tyrrell
G
G
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D015373:Bacterial Typing Techniques; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D007753:Laboratories; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000145:classification*
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D002352:Carrier Proteins; C014689:streptococcal M protein