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Metcalf B, Nanduri S, Chochua S, Li Y, Fleming-Dutra K, McGee L, Beall B. Cluster Transmission Drives Invasive Group A Streptococcus Disease Within the United States and Is Focused on Communities Experiencing Disadvantage. J Infect Dis 2022; 226:546-553. [PMID: 35511035 PMCID: PMC11058745 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiac162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Group A streptococci (GAS), although usually responsible for mild infections, can sometimes spread into normally sterile sites and cause invasive GAS disease (iGAS). Because both the risk of iGAS disease and occurrence of outbreaks are elevated within certain communities, such as those comprising people who inject drugs (PWID) and people experiencing homelessness (PEH), understanding the transmission dynamics of GAS is of major relevance to public health. METHODS We used a cluster detection tool to scan genomes of 7552 Streptococcus pyogenes isolates acquired through the population-based Active Bacterial Core surveillance (ABCs) during 2015-2018 to identify genomically related clusters representing previously unidentified iGAS outbreaks. RESULTS We found that 64.6% of invasive isolates were included within clusters of at least 4 temporally related isolates. Calculating a cluster odds ratio (COR) for each emm type revealed that types vary widely in their propensity to form transmission clusters. By incorporating additional epidemiological metadata for each isolate, we found that emm types with a higher proportion of cases occurring among PEH and PWID were associated with higher CORs. Higher CORs were also correlated with emm types that are less geographically dispersed. CONCLUSIONS Early identification of clusters with implementation of outbreak control measures could result in significant reduction of iGAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Metcalf
- Respiratory Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Srinivas Nanduri
- Respiratory Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Sopio Chochua
- Respiratory Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Yuan Li
- Respiratory Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Katherine Fleming-Dutra
- Respiratory Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Lesley McGee
- Respiratory Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Bernard Beall
- Respiratory Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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2
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Khan F, Bai Z, Kelly S, Skidmore B, Dickson C, Nunn A, Rutledge-Taylor K, Wells G. Effectiveness and Safety of Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Persons Exposed to Cases of Invasive Group A Streptococcal Disease: A Systematic Review. Open Forum Infect Dis 2022; 9:ofac244. [PMID: 36046698 PMCID: PMC9424867 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofac244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Among close contacts of patients with invasive group A streptococcal (iGAS) infection, the benefits and harms of chemoprophylaxis are uncertain. We conducted a systematic review of studies that reported on persons who, after being exposed to a case of laboratory-confirmed or probable iGAS, received any antibiotic prophylaxis for the prevention of GAS infection or carriage. Thirty-seven studies including 26 outbreak investigations and 11 case series or reports were included with predominantly descriptive information that suggested that antibiotic prophylaxis may be effective in preventing GAS infection or GAS carriage, with very few serious adverse events. However, current available evidence is scant (with limited information on contacts of iGAS cases) and largely based on studies with weak design and small sample size. Therefore, definitive conclusions on effectiveness of antibiotic prophylaxis cannot be drawn. Well designed prospective studies are required to establish the benefit-harm profile of antibiotic prophylaxis for secondary prevention of GAS disease among close contacts of iGAS cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faizan Khan
- Cardiovascular Research Methods Centre, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, Canada
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Zemin Bai
- Cardiovascular Research Methods Centre, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, Canada
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Shannon Kelly
- Cardiovascular Research Methods Centre, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, Canada
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Becky Skidmore
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada; Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Catherine Dickson
- Centre for Immunization and Respiratory Infectious Disease, Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Alexandra Nunn
- Centre for Immunization and Respiratory Infectious Disease, Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Katie Rutledge-Taylor
- Centre for Immunization and Respiratory Infectious Disease, Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, Canada
| | - George Wells
- Cardiovascular Research Methods Centre, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, Canada
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Avire NJ, Whiley H, Ross K. A Review of Streptococcus pyogenes: Public Health Risk Factors, Prevention and Control. Pathogens 2021; 10:248. [PMID: 33671684 PMCID: PMC7926438 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10020248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pyogenes, (colloquially named "group A streptococcus" (GAS)), is a pathogen of public health significance, infecting 18.1 million people worldwide and resulting in 500,000 deaths each year. This review identified published articles on the risk factors and public health prevention and control strategies for mitigating GAS diseases. The pathogen causing GAS diseases is commonly transmitted via respiratory droplets, touching skin sores caused by GAS or through contact with contaminated material or equipment. Foodborne transmission is also possible, although there is need for further research to quantify this route of infection. It was found that GAS diseases are highly prevalent in developing countries, and among indigenous populations and low socioeconomic areas in developed countries. Children, the immunocompromised and the elderly are at the greatest risk of S. pyogenes infections and the associated sequelae, with transmission rates being higher in schools, kindergartens, hospitals and residential care homes. This was attributed to overcrowding and the higher level of social contact in these settings. Prevention and control measures should target the improvement of living conditions, and personal and hand hygiene. Adherence to infection prevention and control practices should be emphasized in high-risk settings. Resource distribution by governments, especially in developed countries, should also be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kirstin Ross
- Environmental Health, College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide 5001, Australia; (N.J.A.); (H.W.)
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Li Y, Rivers J, Mathis S, Li Z, Velusamy S, Nanduri SA, Van Beneden CA, Snippes-Vagnone P, Lynfield R, McGee L, Chochua S, Metcalf BJ, Beall B. Genomic Surveillance of Streptococcus pyogenes Strains Causing Invasive Disease, United States, 2016-2017. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1547. [PMID: 32849323 PMCID: PMC7396493 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Streptococcus pyogenes is a major cause of severe, invasive infections in humans. The bacterial pathogen harbors a wide array of virulence factors and exhibits high genomic diversity. Rapid changes of circulating strains in a community are common. Understanding the current prevalence and dynamics of S. pyogenes lineages could inform vaccine development and disease control strategies. METHODS We used whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to characterize all invasive S. pyogenes isolates obtained through the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Active Bacterial Core surveillance (ABCs) in 2016 and 2017. We determined the distribution of strain features, including emm type, antibiotic resistance determinants, and selected virulence factors. Changes in strain feature distribution between years 2016 and 2017 were evaluated. Phylogenetic analysis was used to identify expanding lineages within emm type. RESULTS Seventy-one emm types were identified from 3873 isolates characterized. The emm types targeted by a 30-valent M protein-based vaccine accounted for 3230 (89%) isolates. The relative frequencies of emm types collected during the 2 years were similar. While all isolates were penicillin-susceptible, erythromycin-resistant isolates increased from 273 (16% of 2016 isolates) to 432 (23% of 2017 isolates), mainly driven by increase of the erm-positive emm types 92 and 83. The prevalence of 24 virulence factors, including 11 streptococcal pyrogenic toxins, ranged from 6 to 90%. In each of three emm types (emm 49, 82, and 92), a subgroup of isolates significantly expanded between 2016 and 2017 compared to isolates outside of the subgroup (P-values < 0.0001). Specific genomic sequence changes were associated with these expanded lineages. CONCLUSIONS While the overall population structure of invasive S. pyogenes isolates in the United States remained stable, some lineages, including several that were antibiotic-resistant, increased between 2016 and 2017. Continued genomic surveillance can help monitor and characterize bacterial features associated with emerging strains from invasive infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Li
- Respiratory Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Joy Rivers
- Respiratory Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Saundra Mathis
- Respiratory Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Zhongya Li
- Respiratory Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Srinivasan Velusamy
- Respiratory Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Srinivas A. Nanduri
- Respiratory Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Chris A. Van Beneden
- Respiratory Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | | | - Ruth Lynfield
- Minnesota Department of Health, St Paul, MN, United States
| | - Lesley McGee
- Respiratory Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Sopio Chochua
- Respiratory Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Benjamin J. Metcalf
- Respiratory Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Bernard Beall
- Respiratory Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Atlanta, GA, United States
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Packer S, Pichon B, Thompson S, Neale J, Njoroge J, Kwiatkowska RM, Oliver I, Telfer M, Doumith M, Buunaaisie C, Heinsbroek E, Hopewell-Kelly N, Desai M, Hope V, Williams OM, Kearns A, Hickman M, Gobin M. Clonal expansion of community-associated meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in people who inject drugs (PWID): prevalence, risk factors and molecular epidemiology, Bristol, United Kingdom, 2012 to 2017. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 24. [PMID: 30940316 PMCID: PMC6446509 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2019.24.13.1800124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Background: In 2015, Bristol (South West England) experienced a large increase in cases of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection in people who inject drugs (PWID). Aim: We aimed to characterise and estimate the prevalence of MRSA colonisation among PWID in Bristol and test evidence of a clonal outbreak. Methods: PWID recruited through an unlinked-anonymous community survey during 2016 completed behavioural questionnaires and were screened for MRSA. Univariable logistic regression examined associations with MRSA colonisation. Whole-genome sequencing used lineage-matched MRSA isolates, comparing PWID (screening and retrospective bacteraemia samples from 2012-2017) with non-PWID (Bristol screening) in Bristol and national reference laboratory database samples. Results: The MRSA colonisation prevalence was 8.7% (13/149) and was associated with frequently injecting in public places (odds ratio (OR): 5.5; 95% confidence interval (CI):1.34–22.70), recent healthcare contact (OR: 4.3; 95% CI: 1.34–13.80) and injecting in groups of three or more (OR: 15.8; 95% CI: 2.51–99.28). People reporting any one of: injecting in public places, injection site skin and soft tissue infection or hospital contact accounted for 12/13 MRSA positive cases (sensitivity 92.3%; specificity 51.5%). Phylogenetic analysis identified a dominant clade associated with infection and colonisation among PWID in Bristol belonging to ST5-SCCmecIVg. Conclusions: MRSA colonisation in Bristol PWID is substantially elevated compared with general population estimates and there is evidence of clonal expansion, community-based transmission and increased infection risk related to the colonising strain. Targeted interventions, including community screening and suppression therapy, education and basic infection control are needed to reduce MRSA infections in PWID.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Packer
- Field Epidemiology Service, Public Health England, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Bruno Pichon
- Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infections Reference Unit, National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen Thompson
- Public health laboratory Bristol, Public Health England, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Jane Neale
- Bristol Drugs Project, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Jacquelyn Njoroge
- Blood Borne Virus Section, HIV & STI Department, National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rachel M Kwiatkowska
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Evaluation of Interventions at University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom.,Field Epidemiology Service, Public Health England, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Isabel Oliver
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Evaluation of Interventions at University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom.,Field Epidemiology Service, Public Health England, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | | | - Michel Doumith
- King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,Infectious Diseases Research Department, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infections Reference Unit, National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Ellen Heinsbroek
- Blood Borne Virus Section, HIV & STI Department, National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Monica Desai
- Blood Borne Virus Section, HIV & STI Department, National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, United Kingdom
| | - Vivian Hope
- Public Health Institute, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom.,Blood Borne Virus Section, HIV & STI Department, National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, United Kingdom
| | - Owen Martin Williams
- Public health laboratory Bristol, Public Health England, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Angela Kearns
- Authors contributed equally to the work and share last authorship.,Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infections Reference Unit, National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mathew Hickman
- Authors contributed equally to the work and share last authorship.,School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom.,NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Evaluation of Interventions at University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Maya Gobin
- Authors contributed equally to the work and share last authorship.,Field Epidemiology Service, Public Health England, Bristol, United Kingdom
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6
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Doran J, Harris M, Hope VD, Wright T, Edmundson C, Sinka K, Heinsbroek E. Factors associated with skin and soft tissue infections among people who inject drugs in the United Kingdom: A comparative examination of data from two surveys. Drug Alcohol Depend 2020; 213:108080. [PMID: 32526658 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.108080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Revised: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND People who inject drugs (PWID) are at high risk of injection-related skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI). If not treated promptly, these can lead to serious health complications, which are a considerable healthcare burden. Data from two community surveys, with different approaches, were used to assess SSTI prevalence and associated factors among PWID to inform intervention implementation. METHODS Data were analysed from two surveys, a national surveillance survey (n=2,874; 2017-18) of infections among PWID in the United Kingdom (UK) and an in-depth survey (n=455; 2018-19) of SSTI among PWID based in London, UK. Multivariable logistic regression models were constructed to ascertain the factors associated with self-reported SSTI. RESULTS High prevalence of SSTI were reported in both samples: 52 % of participants from the national surveillance survey reported having SSTI within the preceding 12 months and 65 % of the London sample reported a lifetime history of SSTI. The factors associated with SSTI in both surveys were similar, including older age; number of years injecting; number of attempts required to inject into the vein; injecting into the hands, feet, groin or neck and re-using or sharing needles/syringes. CONCLUSIONS The number of PWID reporting SSTI in the UK is concerningly high. The two surveys used different recruitment approaches but found similar associations. We provide strong evidence of a relationship between venous access difficulty and SSTI. To stem the increase of SSTI and related complications in the UK, it is crucial that interventions attend to the underlying causes of venous damage among PWID.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Doran
- Social and Environmental Health Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom; National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Magdalena Harris
- Social and Environmental Health Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Vivian D Hope
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, United Kingdom; Public Health Institute, Liverpool John Moore's University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Talen Wright
- Social and Environmental Health Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Claire Edmundson
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, United Kingdom
| | - Katy Sinka
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ellen Heinsbroek
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, United Kingdom
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7
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Invasive group A streptococcal infection outbreaks of type emm118 in a long-term care facility, and of type emm74 in the homeless population, Montréal, Quebec. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 45:26-31. [PMID: 31524888 PMCID: PMC6707444 DOI: 10.14745/ccdr.v45i01a03] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Background Two invasive group A streptococcus (iGAS) infection outbreaks occurred in Montreal in 2016 and 2017; one in a long-term care facility (type emm118) and one in the community, primarily involving homeless people (type emm74). Objective To describe two recent iGAS outbreaks in Montréal and highlight the challenges in dealing with these outbreaks and the need to tailor the public health response to control them. Methodology All cases of iGAS were investigated and the isolates were sent to the laboratory for emm typing. In both outbreaks, cases of superficial group A streptococcus (GAS) infection were identified, through 1) systematic case detection accompanied by screening for asymptomatic carriers among residents and employees of the long-term care facility and 2) sentinel surveillance among homeless people. Visits were made to community organizations providing homeless services (including shelters) and social networks were analyzed to establish whether there were any links among cases of GAS infection (both invasive and noninvasive) and locations frequented. In both outbreaks, recommendations were made to service providers regarding enhancement of infection prevention and control measures. Results In the long-term care facility, five cases of type emm118 iGAS were identified over a 22-month period, one of which resulted in death. All residents were screened and no carriers were identified. Among the employees, 81 (65%) were screened and fourcarriers were identified. Of those, one was a carrier of type emm118 GAS. All carriers were treated, and subsequent follow-up sampling on three carriers (including the one with emm118) was negative. In the community, 23 cases of type emm74 iGAS were detected over a 16-month period, four of which resulted in death. Half of the cases (n=12) were described as homeless, and six others were users of services for the homeless. Sentinel surveillance of superficial infections yielded 64 cultures with GAS, chiefly on the skin, including 51 (80%) of type emm74. An analysis of the social networks revealed the large number and variety of resources for the homeless used by the cases. Visits to the community organizations providing homeless services revealed the heterogeneity and precariousness of some of these services, the difficulties encountered in applying adequate health and hygiene measures, and the high degree of mobility amongst those who use these services. Conclusion The detection and control of iGAS outbreaks in both long-term care establishments and among community organizations providing homeless services are very complex. An outbreak of iGAS can develop in the background over a long time and be easily overlooked despite cases being admitted to the hospital. Emm typing and systematic research of previous cases of iGAS are essential tools for the detection and characterization of outbreaks. Close cooperation among public health agencies, clinical teams, community organizations and laboratories is essential for proper monitoring and the reduction of GAS transmission in the community and health care settings.
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Bessen DE, Smeesters PR, Beall BW. Molecular Epidemiology, Ecology, and Evolution of Group A Streptococci. Microbiol Spectr 2018; 6. [PMID: 30191802 DOI: 10.1128/microbiolspec.cpp3-0009-2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The clinico-epidemiological features of diseases caused by group A streptococci (GAS) is presented through the lens of the ecology, population genetics, and evolution of the organism. The serological targets of three typing schemes (M, T, SOF) are themselves GAS cell surface proteins that have a myriad of virulence functions and a diverse array of structural forms. Horizontal gene transfer expands the GAS antigenic cell surface repertoire by generating numerous combinations of M, T, and SOF antigens. However, horizontal gene transfer of the serotype determinant genes is not unconstrained, and therein lies a genetic organization that may signify adaptations to a narrow ecological niche, such as the primary tissue reservoirs of the human host. Adaptations may be further shaped by selection pressures such as herd immunity. Understanding the molecular evolution of GAS on multiple levels-short, intermediate, and long term-sheds insight on mechanisms of host-pathogen interactions, the emergence and spread of new clones, rational vaccine design, and public health interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debra E Bessen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595
| | - Pierre R Smeesters
- Department of Pediatrics, Queen Fabiola Children's University Hospital, and Molecular Bacteriology Laboratory, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, 1020, Belgium
| | - Bernard W Beall
- National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333
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