title: Contribution of Streptococcus anginosus to infections caused by groups C and G streptococci, southern India.
abstract: Vellore, a region in southern India, has a high incidence of severe human infections with Beta-hemolytic group C and G streptococci (GCGS). To determine the causative species in these infections, we conducted 16S rRNA gene sequencing: Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis (81%) and S. anginosus (19%) were the causative organisms in the 2-year study period (2006-2007). We used PCR to detect the virulence-related emm gene; results showed that it was restricted to S. dysgalactieae subsp. equisimilis isolates of 99.2% tested positive. Due to a novel marker, S. anginosus and S. constellatus can be quickly and accurately distinguished from other members of the genus. The notable contribution of the anginosus group to human infections suggests that this group of obligate pathogens deserves more attention in healthcare and research.
authors.affiliation: Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany.
authors.forename: Silvana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Reissmann
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Friedrichs
authors.forename: Reena
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rajkumari
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Itzek
authors.forename: Marcus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fulde
authors.forename: Arne C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Rodloff
authors.forename: Kootallur N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Brahmadathan
authors.forename: Gursharan S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Chhatwal
authors.forename: D Patric
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Nitsche-Schmitz
mesh_terms: D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D005798:Genes, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D005819:Genetic Markers / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D016366:Open Reading Frames / Q000235:genetics; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000235:genetics; D034366:Streptococcus anginosus / Q000235:genetics; D034365:Streptococcus constellatus / Q000235:genetics; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D005819:Genetic Markers; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; D037521:Virulence Factors