J Korean Med Sci.  2006 Apr;21(2):193-198. 10.3346/jkms.2006.21.2.193.

Genetic Diversity and Exotoxin A Production of Group A Streptococci Causing Sepsis

• Koh EH
• Lee NY
• Kim EC
• Kim S

• KMID: 1781821
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2006.21.2.193

Abstract

The M protein and streptococcus pyrogenic exotoxin (SPE A) are important virulence factors in group A streptococci (GAS) infections. The emm types of GAS strains isolated from patients with sepsis were determined by sequencing the 5' N-terminus of the emm gene, encoding the M protein, and clonality analysis using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. The presence of speA and production of SPE A were also examined. There were no predominant GAS clones. The emm genotypes were variable, and the most common genotype was emm13 (17.9%). The production prevalence of SPE A was 21.4%. The low mortality rate (7.1%) of GAS sepsis might be attributable to the low incidence of virulent strains such as emm1 (10.7%) and emm3 (7.1%), as well as to low production rate of SPE A.

Keyword

Streptococcus pyogenes; Group A Streptococci; Sepsis; Emm55 protein; Streptococcus pyogenes; Exotoxins; Electrophoresis; Gel; Pulsed-field

MeSH Terms

Virulence/genetics
Variation (Genetics)
Streptococcus pyogenes/*genetics/*pathogenicity
Streptococcal Infections/*etiology/microbiology
Sepsis/*etiology/microbiology
Middle Aged
Membrane Proteins/*biosynthesis/*genetics
Male
Infant
Humans
Genotype
Female
Exotoxins/*biosynthesis/*genetics
DNA, Bacterial/genetics/isolation & purification
Child, Preschool
Child
Bacterial Proteins/*biosynthesis/*genetics
Aged
Adult
Adolescent

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 (A) emm-RFLP restricted with HaeIII enzyme runned on 12% acrylamide gel and (B) its schematic pattern. Number of each lane in (B) represents emm RFLP pattern. Lane M, molecular marker of 100 bp ladder.

• 

  Fig. 2 Genomic DNA fingerprints by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis after digestion with (A) SmaI and (B) ApaI enzymes. Lane M, molecular marker of low range PFG.

• 

  Fig. 3 Schematic pattern of each representative fingerprints produced by SmaI enzyme. Marker, molecular marker of low range PFG.

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