A Post-COVID-19 Upsurge in Group A Streptococcus in the Czech Republic was Driven by emm1 and emm12 with Shared Virulence Factors
In 2023, a significant increase in Streptococcus pyogenes, Group A Streptococcus (GAS) culture positivity was observed in Czech microbiological laboratories. We conducted a multicentre study to obtain epidemiological data and characterize circulating strains.