Genetic diversity and exotoxin A production of group A streptococci causing sepsis.
The M protein and streptococcus pyrogenic exotoxin (SPE A) are important virulence factors in group A streptococci (GAS) infections. The emm types of GAS strains isolated from patients with sepsis were determined by sequencing the 5' N-terminus of the emm gene, encoding the M protein, and clonality analysis using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. The presence of speA and production of SPE A were also examined. There were no predominant GAS clones. The emm genotypes were variable, and the most common genotype was emm13 (17.9%). The production prevalence of SPE A was 21.4%. The low mortality rate (7.1%) of GAS sepsis might be attributable to the low incidence of virulent strains such as emm1 (10.7%) and emm3 (7.1%), as well as to low production rate of SPE A.
Koh
Eun Ha
EH
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Chilamdong, Jinju, Korea.
Lee
Nam Yong
NY
Kim
Eui Chong
EC
Kim
Sunjoo
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005098:Exotoxins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D018805:Sepsis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000235:genetics* / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D014774:Virulence / Q000235:genetics
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D005098:Exotoxins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; C117980:SpeA protein, Streptococcus pyogenes