Distribution of phage-associated virulence genes in pharyngeal group a streptococcal strains isolated in Italy.
The presence and assortment of 16 known virulence/resistance genetic determinants carried by prophages or prophage-like elements were tested in 212 clinical group A Streptococcus (GAS) strains and related to available data from SmaI macrorestriction/pulsed-field gel electrophoresis analysis and emm typing. A strong correlation existed among the three analyses. This finding supports the substantial contribution to the evolution and diversification of the GAS genome attributed to phages.
Vitali
Luca Agostino
LA
Department of Molecular, University of Camerino, via Gentile III da Varano, Camerino, MC, Italy. luca.vitali@unicam.it
D'Ercole
Stefania
S
Petrelli
Dezemona
D
Di Luca
Maria Chiara
MC
Rombini
Silvia
S
Prenna
Manuela
M
Ripa
Sandro
S
D000293:Adolescent; D015373:Bacterial Typing Techniques; D002353:Carrier State / Q000382:microbiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016172:DNA Fingerprinting; D016521:Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field; D005814:Genes, Viral; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D039002:Prophages / Q000235:genetics*; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000235:genetics*
D037521:Virulence Factors