Geographic and temporal distribution and molecular characterization of two highly pathogenic clones of Streptococcus pyogenes expressing allelic variants of pyrogenic exotoxin A (Scarlet fever toxin)

James M Musser; V Kapur; Sagarika Kanjilal; Uma Shah; D M Musher; N L Barg; Kenneth H Johnston; P M Schlievert; J Henrichsen; D Gerlach

doi:10.1093/infdis/167.2.337

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Geographic and temporal distribution and molecular characterization of two highly pathogenic clones of Streptococcus pyogenes expressing allelic variants of pyrogenic exotoxin A (Scarlet fever toxin)

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Geographic and temporal distribution and molecular characterization of two highly pathogenic clones of Streptococcus pyogenes expressing allelic variants of pyrogenic exotoxin A (Scarlet fever toxin)

James M Musser, V Kapur, Sagarika Kanjilal, Uma Shah, D M Musher, N L Barg, Kenneth H Johnston, P M Schlievert, J Henrichsen and D Gerlach

The Journal of infectious diseases, Vol.167(2), pp.337-346

02/1993

DOI: 10.1093/infdis/167.2.337

PMID: 8093623

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Abstract

The molecular population genetics and pathogenic potential of North American and European invasive strains of Streptococcus pyogenes were assessed. Isolates from recent invasive infections and from infections in the 1920s and 1930s were characterized for multilocus enzyme genotype and allelic variation in the gene (speA) that encodes streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin (SPE) A (scarlet fever toxin). A subset of strains was studied for allelic variation in genes that encode SPE B and streptokinase. All contemporary strains assigned to electrophoretic types (ETs) 1 and 2 that synthesize SPE A have the speA2 and speA3 allelic variants, respectively, and their relative virulence in two mouse models is similar to that of strains of the same ET and M protein types recovered earlier. In contrast, ET 1 and 2 isolates from disease episodes in the 1920s and 1930s contain the speA1 allele. The data suggest there may be temporal and geographic variation in the occurrence of clone--virulence factor allele combinations, an observation that may in part explain fluctuations in disease frequency, severity, and character.

Europe

North America

Humans

Virulence

Molecular Sequence Data

DNA, Bacterial - chemistry

Genetic Variation

Streptococcus pyogenes - genetics

Streptococcus pyogenes - pathogenicity

Base Sequence

Cloning, Molecular

DNA, Bacterial - analysis

Neutrophils - microbiology

Streptococcus pyogenes - classification

Amino Acid Sequence

Streptococcal Infections - microbiology

Streptokinase - genetics

Cells, Cultured

Mice, Hairless

Bacterial Proteins

Membrane Proteins

Exotoxins - biosynthesis

Animals

Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length

Alleles

Exotoxins - genetics

Mice

Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial

Details

Title: Subtitle: Geographic and temporal distribution and molecular characterization of two highly pathogenic clones of Streptococcus pyogenes expressing allelic variants of pyrogenic exotoxin A (Scarlet fever toxin)
Creators: James M Musser - Department of Pathology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
V Kapur
Sagarika Kanjilal
Uma Shah
D M Musher
N L Barg
Kenneth H Johnston
P M Schlievert
J Henrichsen
D Gerlach
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: The Journal of infectious diseases, Vol.167(2), pp.337-346
Publisher: United States
DOI: 10.1093/infdis/167.2.337
PMID: 8093623
ISSN: 0022-1899
eISSN: 1537-6613
Grant note: AI-33119 / NIAID NIH HHS RR-05425 / NCRR NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 02/1993
Academic Unit: Microbiology and Immunology; Internal Medicine
Record Identifier: 9984001128002771

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