Molecular epidemiology of group A streptococcus from pharyngeal isolates in Auckland, New Zealand, 2013.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the molecular epidemiology of emm types associated with circulating pharyngeal group A streptococcus (GAS) isolates in Auckland, New Zealand.


METHODS
GAS isolates were collected over a 10-day period from a community pathology provider in Auckland. PCR analysis and sequencing of the emm gene was performed at the Institute of Environmental Science and Research.


RESULTS
A total of 52 emm types were identified from 278 GAS isolates. The three most common emm types were emm1, emm89 and emm12. Overall, the experimental 30-valent GAS M protein vaccine covered 19 / 52 (37%) of emm types in our study.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study provides baseline data on the circulating pharyngeal GAS emm types in Auckland. Future clinical and molecular surveillance of GAS pharyngitis is essential in the context of ongoing GAS vaccine development.
Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand. deb.williamson@auckland.ac.nz.
Deborah A
DA
Williamson
Nicole J
NJ
Moreland
Philip
P
Carter
Arlo
A
Upton
Julie
J
Morgan
Thomas
T
Proft
Diana
D
Lennon
Michael G
MG
Baker
Rod
R
Dunbar
John D
JD
Fraser
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000382:microbiology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014505:Urban Population; D055815:Young Adult
D004269:DNA, Bacterial