High-virulence clone of group B streptococci unable to grow at high temperatures is present in serotypes other than type III.
Highly virulent clonotypes of serotype III seem to cause much of the perinatal morbidity and mortality attributed to Streptococcus agalactiae (group B streptococci, GBS), One of these clonal types, designated the "high-virulence clone" (HVC), was identified by its inability to grow at 40 degrees C in a chemically defined medium. In the present study, this inability to grow at high temperatures was used as a marker to identify HVC in a sample of 286 Mexican GBS isolates. Forty-three isolates (15%) were identified as belonging to this clone: 15 were invasive isolates, 33 were serotype III (77%), and 10 were of serotypes other than type III (23%). These results demonstrate that HVC is more prevalent in Mexico than previously reported and that this clone is not restricted to serotype III isolates.
Palacios
Gerardo C
GC
Departamento de Infectologia and Unidad de Investigacion en Enfermedades Infecciosas y Parasitarias, Hospital de Pediatria, Centro Medico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, Mexico. palsaugc@att.net.mx
Gonzalez
Maria N
MN
Beltran
Magdalena
M
Arredondo
Jose L
JL
Torres
Javier
J
Solorzano
Fortino
F
D000328:Adult; D002353:Carrier State / Q000382:microbiology; D003470:Culture Media; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008800:Mexico; D012703:Serotyping; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae / Q000145:classification* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D013696:Temperature; D014774:Virulence
D003470:Culture Media