Characterization of 19A-like 19F pneumococcal isolates from Papua New Guinea and Fiji.
Molecular identification of Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 19F is routinely performed by PCR targeting the wzy gene of the capsular biosynthetic locus. However, 19F isolates with genetic similarity to 19A have been reported in the United States and Brazil. We screened 78 pneumococcal carriage isolates and found six 19F wzy variants that originated from children in Papua New Guinea and Fiji. Isolates were characterized using multilocus sequence typing and opsonophagocytic assays. The 19F wzy variants displayed similar susceptibility to anti-19F IgG antibodies compared to standard 19F isolates. Our findings indicate that these 19F variants may be more common than previously believed.
Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
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Dunne
Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
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Tikkanen
Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
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Balloch
Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
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Gould
Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
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Yoannes
Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
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Phuanukoonnon
Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
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Licciardi
Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
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Russell
Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
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Mulholland
Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
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Satzke
Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
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Hinds
Antibodies; Capsule; Pneumococcus; Serotyping; Streptococcus pneumoniae; Surveillance