Molecular Epidemiological Characteristics of Streptococcus pyogenes Strains Involved in an Outbreak of Scarlet Fever in China,2011

Objective To investigate molecular characterization of streptococcus pyogenes isolates involved in an outbreak of scarlet fever in China in 2011. Methods Seventy-four 5treptococcol pyogenes involved in an outbreak of scarlet fever were isolated from pediatric patients in the areas with high incidence in China from May to August of 2011. Emm genotyping, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis （PFGE）, superantigen （SAg） genes and antimicrobial susceptibility profiling were analyzed for these isolates. Results A total of 4 different emm types were identified. Emm12 was the most prevalent type which contained four predominating PFGE patterns corresponding to four different virulence and superantigen profiles. Emm12（79.7%） and emml （14.9%） accounted for approximately 94% of all the isolates. The speA gene was all negative in emm12 isolates and positive in emml isolates. All strains were resistant to erythromycin, and 89.4% of them were resistant to erythromycin, tracycline, and clindamycin simultaneously. Conclusion Several highly diversified clones with a high macrolide resistance rate comprise a predominant proportion of circulating strains, though no new emm type was found in this outbreak. The data provide a baseline for further surveillance of scarlet fever, which may contribute to the explanation of the outbreak and development of a GAS vaccine in China.

Streptococcal Pyrogenic Exotoxin Genes SpeA and SpeB in Isolates of Streptococcus pyogenes from Children with Pharyngitis, Gezira State, Sudan

Background: Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus, GAS) is an important human bacterial pathogen. This organism possesses many virulence factors, Streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxinone of these. Aim: Detection of Streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin SpeA and SpeB in isolated Streptococcus pyogenes. Methods: Tow hundred throat swab samples were collected from children with pharyngitis referred to Pediatric Teaching hospital and ENT hospital Wad medani, Sudan, from January to November 2021. The questionnaire was filled out to collect clinical and demographic data. Throat swabs were collected and processed with the standard microbiological procedure to isolate Streptococcus pyogenes. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done on all GAS isolates using the Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method according to clinical laboratory standard institute (CLSI) guidelines. Detection of Spy 1258 gene and Streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxins SpeA and SpeB were done by using Multiplex PCR. Results: Amongst the Tow hundred collected samples fifty-one isolates (25.5%) were identified as S. pyogenes. Antibiotic susceptibility testing showed that all the GAS isolates were sensitive to Azithromycin and Penicillin. Sensitivity to Erythromycin, Gentamicin, Clarithromycin, Amoxicillin and Cephalexin were 88.2%, 86.3%, 45.1%, 41.2%, 13.7%, respectively. SpeA was detected in 17 (33.3%) and SpeB in 48 (94.1%). Conclusion: Streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin genes SpeA and SpeB were detected in 17 (33.3%) and 48 (94.1%) respectively of Streptococcus pyogenes isolates.

Impact of Streptococcus pyogenes infection in susceptibility to psoriasis:A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND Psoriasis is one of the most common chronic systemic diseases,mainly appearing as lesions on the skin and joints,and is associated with a high mortality due to a lack of standard treatment.The exact mechanism of this disease is not fully understood,but the inflammatory response and dysregulation of the immune system are the most important molecular processes that trigger this disease.The skin microflora is one of the main factors involved in inducing,maturing,and dysregulating the immune system,which may underly the development of psoriasis.AIM To determine the impact of Streptococcus pyogenes(S.pyogenes)infection and susceptibility to psoriasis using available case-control studies.METHODS In this study,we conducted a comprehensive literature search using PubMed,Scopus,Web of science,and Google scholar databases to obtain all available relevant studies on the association between S.pyogenes and psoriasis.We pooled the data using Comprehensive Meta-analysis software to investigate the role of S.pyogenes infection in the development of psoriasis.The probable connection between S.pyogenes and susceptibility to psoriasis was assessed using the odds ratio(OR)with corresponding 95%confidence intervals(CIs).RESULTS Data from 781 cases were evaluated in this study.Our results showed that the rate of infection with S.pyogenes in psoriatic patients and healthy individuals was 33.4%(95%CI:27.8-39.6)and 16.2%(95%CI:9.7-25.9),respectively.S.pyogenes infection significantly increased the risk of psoriasis(OR:6.58;95%CI:3.64-11.87;P=0.001).CONCLUSION S.pyogenes infection can significantly increase the risk of psoriasis.Thus,infection with S.pyogenes is a risk factor for the initiation and development of psoriatic events.

Molecular Identification of Streptococcus pyogenes in Isolates from Children with Pharyngitis, Gezira State, Sudan 2022

Background: Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A streptococcus) is an important Gram-positive human pathogen affected the upper respiratory tract, such as the tonsils and pharynx, and is also induces post-infection diseases such as rheumatic fever and glomerulonephritis. This study aim to isolate Streptococcus pyogenes from children with pharyngitis and to evaluate the molecular identification of S. pyogenes compared with conventional methods. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted on total of 200 throat swab samples which were collected from children with pharyngitis referred to Wad medani Pediatric Teaching Hospital and Wad medani ENT hospital from January to November 2021. Demographic and clinical data were collected by questionnaire. Throat swabs were tested with the standard microbiological techniques to isolated Group A streptococcus (GAS). Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed to all GAS isolates using the Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method according to clinical laboratory standard institute (CLSI) guidelines. Additionally, PCR was used to identify Spy 1258 gene of isolated bacteria. Results: From all throat swab samples screened, 51 isolates (25.5%) were identified as GAS. Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed that all the GAS isolates were sensitive to Penicillin and Azithromycin. Sensitivity to Erythromycin, Gentamicin, Clarithromycin, Amoxicillin and Cephalexin were 88.2%, 86.3%, 45.1%, 41.2%, 13.7%, respectively. Based on PCR identification of Spy 1258 gene the percentage of isolated bacteria was 21%. Conclusion: The rate of isolated Streptococcus pyogenes was 25.5% by conventional methods and 21% by PCR. The bacteria were sensitive to Penicillin and Azithromycin. The Spy 1258 gene was specific for detection of Streptococcus pyogenes.

Genetic Characterization of Streptococcus pyogenes emm89 Strains Isolated in Japan From 2011 to 2019

Invasive infection caused by Streptococcus pyogenes emm89 strains has been increasing in several countries linked to a recently emergent clade of emm89 strains,designated clade 3.In Japan,the features of emm89 S.pyogenes strains,such as clade classification,remains unknown.In this study,we collected emm89 strains isolated from both streptococcal toxic shock syndrome(STSS)(89 STSS isolates)and noninvasive infections(72 non-STSS isolates)in Japan from 2011 to 2019,and conducted wholegenome sequencing and comparative analysis,which resulted in classification of a large majority into clade 3 regardless of disease severity.In addition,invasive disease-associated factors were found among emm89 strains,including mutations of control of virulence sensor,and absence of the hylP1 gene encoding hyaluronidase.These findings provide new insights into genetic features of emm89 strains.

Preliminary Study on the Antibacterial Activity of Six Medicinal Plants against Two Naso-Pharyngeal Pathogens—Streptococccus pyogenes and Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Objective: The objective is to study the antibacterial activity of six medicinal plants against two naso-pharyngeal pathogens and determination of total phenol contents in ethanol extracts of those plants. Methods: Different serial concentrations (0.05 g/mL, 0.1 g/mL, 0.2 g/mL, 0.4 g/mL) of ethanolic and acetone extracts of Piper nigrum L. (Piperaceae), Ocimum sanctum Linn., Plectranthus amboinicus L. (Lamiaceae), Ayapana triplinervis M.Vahl. (Asteraceae), Cinnamomum zeylanicum L. (Lauraceae), Allium schoenoprasum Linn. (Liliaceace) were evaluated for the antibacterial activity using disc diffusion method against gram positive Streptococcus pyogenes and gram negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The extracts were prepared from different parts of the plants. The total phenol content was estimated using folin-ciocaltau reagent in catechol equivalents. Results: Majority of the extracts had inhibitory effect against the tested bacteria at different concentrations. In ethanol extracts, Plectranthus amboinicus exhibited the maximum zone of inhibition (14 mm) at 0.05 g/mL concentration against Streptococcus pyogenes, and Ocimum sanctum showed highest zone of bacterial inhibition (19 mm) at 0.05 g concentration against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In acetone extracts, Piper nigrum had the maximum zone of bacterial inhibition (17 mm) in 0.4 g/mL concentration against Streptococcus pyogenes and Cinnamomum zeylanicum and Allium schoenoprasum exhibited the highest zone of bacterial inhibition (0.4 g/mL) against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The ethanol extract of Plectranthus amboinicus contained the highest amount of phenol (0.8 mg/mL) and Allium schoenoprasum contained the lowest amount (0.62 mg/mL). In acetone, Cinnamomum zeylanicum contained highest phenol content (0.78 mg/mL). Conclusion: All these investigations pave way to the molecular modeling of the lead phyto compounds present in the studied plants, and also in finding out their biochemical action in various metabolic pathways and reactions of infection.

Assessment of Prevalence Group A Streptococci (GAS) Associated with Upper Respiratory Tract Infection among Hajj and Umrah Pilgrims

Background: Respiratory tract infection (RTI) is a prevalent infection across the world and is a major health concern linked to the crowding that occurs during the Hajj season. Objectives: To identify how prevalent Streptococcus pyogenes is among Umrah visitors and pilgrims by comparing its presence before and after the visitors perform Umrah and hajj. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out on Umrah visitors/pilgrims, for which their throat swabs were taken for assessing the upper respiratory tract infection’s carriage rate, particularly of Group A streptococci (GAS), after they arrived in Saudi Arabia for the Hajj and Umrah rituals and befor their leaving. After collecting the swabs, they were inoculated on Columbia agar using 5% sheep blood and then incubated at 37&#730C. VITEK 2 systems were used to identify the isolates. Results: Of the 979/613 Umrah visitors/pilgrims involved, before performing Umrah, their Streptococcus pyogenes percentage was 0.2% and it increased to 0.7 after performing Umrah. Further, the Streptococcus pyogenes percentage before and after performing Hajj was 0.3% and 1.1%, respectively. No statistical significance was found in the difference between the positive Streptococcus pyogenes found before and after performing Hajj and Umrah among Umrah visitors/pilgrims (p-value = 0.2). All bacterial isolates were found to be sensitive to Cefotaxime and Ceftriaxone antibiotics (100%). Conclusion: The Streptococcus pyogeneshigh resistance to antibiotics combined with the lack of a vaccine poses a serious risk concerning the resulting infection spread and emphasizes the necessity of ensuring greater global surveillance of such epidemics.

Acute phlegmonous gastritis complicated by delayed perforation

Here, we report on a case of acute phlegmonous gastritis (PG) complicated by delayed perforation. A 51-year-old woman presented with severe abdominal pain and septic shock symptoms. A computed tomography scan showed diffuse thickening of the gastric wall and distention with peritoneal fluid. Although we did not find definite evidence of free air on the computed tomography (CT) scan, the patient’s clinical condition suggested diffuse peritonitis requiring surgical intervention. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a thickened gastric wall with suppurative intraperitoneal fluid in which Streptococcus pyogenes grew. There was no evidence of gastric or duodenal perforation. No further operation was performed at that time. The patient was conservatively treated with antibiotics and proton pump inhibitor, and her condition improved. However, she experienced abdominal and flank pain again on postoperative day 10. CT and esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed a large gastric ulcer with perforation. Unfortunately, although the CT showed further improvement in the thickening of the stomach and the mucosal defect, the patient’s condition did not recover until a week later, and an esophagogastroduodenoscopy taken on postoperative day 30 showed suspected gastric submucosal dissection. We performed total gastrectomy as a second operation, and the patient recovered without major complications. A pathological examination revealed a multifocal ulceration and necrosis from the mucosa to the serosa with perforation.

Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome after hemorrhoidectomy: A case report

BACKGROUND Streptococcal toxic-shock syndrome after hemorrhoidectomy is rare but may be catastrophic.Group A streptococci have produced various surface proteins and exotoxins due to genetic changes to fight the human body’s immune response.Though life threatening infection after hemorrhoidectomy rarely occurs,all surgeons should be aware of the potential complications of severe sepsis after hemorrhoidectomy and keep in mind their clinical presenting features in order to diagnose early and administer appropriate and effective therapeutic drugs early.CASE SUMMARY Here,we present a case of a 56-year-old man with a painful thrombotic external hemorrhoid who presented to our outpatient department for management.There was no history of systemic diseases or recent disease infection.Hemorrhoidectomy was suggested and performed.After surgery,the patient developed hypotension,tachycardia,fever with chills and renal function impairment on day 2 post-operation.The clinical condition progressed to severe septic shock and metabolic acidosis.The patient responded poorly to treatment and expired after 1 d even with use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.The results of the blood and wound cultures showed group A streptococcus pyogenes.CONCLUSION Although extremely uncommon,all surgeons should be aware of these potential life-threatening septic complications and alert to the presenting features for patients receiving hemorrhoidectomy.

Rheumatic fever reappraised

Rheumatic fever is a complication following an episode of group A streptococcal pharyngitis. It is an acute immunologically mediated, multisystem inflammatory disorder. Acute rheumatic heart disease during the active phase of rheumatic fever sometimes progresses to chronic rheumatic heart disease. Despite its declining importance in industrialised countries rheumatic fever remains the leading cause of death from heart disease in children and young adults in less developed regions. Fifteen to twenty million new cases emerge every year in developing countries.~1

Site-Specific Conjugation of Cell Wall Polyrhamnose to Protein SpyAD Envisioning a Safe Universal Group A Streptococcal Vaccine

Development of an effective vaccine against the leading human bacterial pathogen group A Streptococcus(GAS)is a public health priority.The species defining group A cell wall carbohydrate(GAC,Lancefield antigen)can be engineered to remove its immunodominant N-acetylglucosamine(GlcNAc)side chain,implicated in provoking autoimmune cross-reactivity in rheumatic heart disease,leaving its polyrhamnose core(GACPR).Here we generate a novel protein conjugate of the GACPR and test the utility of this conjugate antigen in active immunization.Instead of conjugation to a standard carrier protein,we selected SpyAD,a highly conserved GAS surface protein containing both B-cell and T-cell epitopes relevant to the bacterium that itself shows promise as a vaccine antigen.SpyAD was synthesized using the XpressTM cell-free protein expression system,incorporating a non-natural amino acid to which GACpr was conjugated by site-specific click chemistry to yield high molecular mass SpyAD-GACPR conjugates and avoid disruption of important T-cell and B-cell immunological epitopes.The conjugated SpyAD-GACPR elicited antibodies that bound the surface of multiple GAS strains of diverse M types and promoted opsonophagocytic killing by human neutrophils.Active immunization of mice with a multivalent vaccine consisting of SpyAD-GACPR,together with candidate vaccine antigens streptolysin O and C5a peptidase,protected against GAS challenge in a systemic infection model and localized skin infection model,without evidence of cross reactivity to human heart or brain tissue epitopes.This general approach may allow GAC to be safely and effectively included in future GAS subunit vaccine formulations with the goal of broad protection without autoreactivity.