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Mangioni D, Fox V, Saltini P, Lombardi A, Bussini L, Carella F, Cariani L, Comelli A, Matinato C, Muscatello A, Teri A, Terranova L, Cento V, Carloni S, Bartoletti M, Alteri C, Bandera A. Increase in invasive group A streptococcal infections in Milan, Italy: a genomic and clinical characterization. Front Microbiol 2024; 14:1287522. [PMID: 38274761 PMCID: PMC10808429 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1287522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Group A Streptococcus (GAS) causes multiple clinical manifestations, including invasive (iGAS) or even life-threatening (severe-iGAS) infections. After the drop in cases during COVID-19 pandemic, in 2022 a sharp increase of GAS was reported globally. Methods GAS strains collected in 09/2022-03/2023 in two university hospitals in Milan, Italy were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical/epidemiological data were combined with whole-genome sequencing to: (i) define resistome/virulome, (ii) identify putative transmission chains, (iii) explore associations between emm-types and clinical severity. Results Twenty-eight isolates were available, 19/28 (67.9%) from adults and 9/28 (32.1%) from pediatric population. The criteria for iGAS were met by 19/28 cases (67.9%), of which 11/19 (39.3%) met the further criteria for severe-iGAS. Pediatric cases were mainly non-invasive infections (8/9, 88.9%), adult cases were iGAS and severe-iGAS in 18/19 (94.7%) and 10/19 (52.6%), respectively. Thirteen emm-types were detected, the most prevalent being emm1 and emm12 (6/28 strains each, 21.4%). Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis of emm1.0 and emm12.0 strains revealed pairwise SNP distance always >10, inconsistent with unique transmission chains. Emm12.0-type, found to almost exclusively carry virulence factors speH and speI, was mainly detected in children and in no-iGAS infections (55.6 vs. 5.3%, p = 0.007 and 66.7 vs. 0.0%, p < 0.001, respectively), while emm1.0-type was mainly detected in severe-iGAS (0.0 vs. 45.5%, p = 0.045). Conclusions This study showed that multiple emm-types contributed to a 2022/2023 GAS infection increase in two hospitals in Milan, with no evidence of direct transmission chains. Specific emm-types could be associated with disease severity or invasiveness. Overall, these results support the integration of classical epidemiological studies with genomic investigation to appropriately manage severe infections and improve surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Mangioni
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Foundation Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Valeria Fox
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Saltini
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Foundation Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Lombardi
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Foundation Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Linda Bussini
- Infectious Disease Unit, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Carella
- Infectious Disease Unit, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
| | - Lisa Cariani
- Microbiology Laboratory, Clinical Pathology, Foundation Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Agnese Comelli
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Foundation Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Caterina Matinato
- Microbiology Laboratory, Clinical Pathology, Foundation Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Antonio Muscatello
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Foundation Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Antonio Teri
- Microbiology Laboratory, Clinical Pathology, Foundation Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Leonardo Terranova
- Respiratory Unit and Adult Cystic Fibrosis Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Foundation Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Valeria Cento
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
- Microbiology and Virology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Carloni
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Michele Bartoletti
- Infectious Disease Unit, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
| | - Claudia Alteri
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandra Bandera
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Foundation Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milano, Milan, Italy
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2
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The Integrative Conjugative Element ICESpyM92 Contributes to Pathogenicity of Emergent Antimicrobial-Resistant emm92 Group A Streptococcus. Infect Immun 2022; 90:e0008022. [PMID: 35913172 PMCID: PMC9387263 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00080-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance-encoding mobile genetic elements (MGEs) may contribute to the disease potential of bacterial pathogens. We previously described the association of Group A Streptococcus (GAS) derived from invasive disease with increasingly frequent antimicrobial resistance (AMR). We hypothesized that a 65-kb AMR-encoding MGE (ICESpyM92), highly conserved among closely related emergent invasive emm92 GAS, contributes to GAS disease potential. Here, we provide evidence that a combination of ICESpyM92- and core genome-dependent differential gene expression (DGE) contributes to invasive disease phenotypes of emergent emm92 GAS. Using isogenic ICESpyM92 mutants generated in distinct emm92 genomic backgrounds, we determined the presence of ICESpyM92 enhances GAS virulence in a mouse subcutaneous infection model. Measurement of in vitro and ex vivo DGE indicates ICESpyM92 influences GAS global gene expression in a background-dependent manner. Our study links virulence and AMR on a unique MGE via MGE-related DGE and highlights the importance of investigating associations between AMR-encoding MGEs and pathogenicity.
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3
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Streptolysin O concentration and activity is central to in vivo phenotype and disease outcome in Group A Streptococcus infection. Sci Rep 2021; 11:19011. [PMID: 34561464 PMCID: PMC8463576 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-97866-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Group A Streptoccocus (GAS) is among the most diverse of all human pathogens, responsible for a range of clinical manifestations, from mild superficial infections such as pharyngitis to serious invasive infections such as necrotising fasciitis and sepsis. The drivers of these different disease phenotypes are not known. The GAS cholesterol-dependent cytolysin, Streptolysin O (SLO), has well established cell and tissue destructive activity. We investigated the role of SLO in determining disease outcome in vivo, by using two different clinical lineages; the recently emerged hypervirulent outbreak emm type 32.2 strains, which result in sepsis, and the emm type 1.0 strains which cause septic arthritis. Using clinically relevant in vivo mouse models of sepsis and a novel septic arthritis model, we found that the amount and activity of SLO was vital in determining the course of infection. The emm type 32.2 strain produced large quantities of highly haemolytic SLO that resulted in rapid development of sepsis. By contrast, the reduced concentration and lower haemolytic activity of emm type 1.0 SLO led to translocation of bacteria from blood to joints. Importantly, sepsis associated strains that were attenuated by deletion or inhibition of SLO, then also translocated to the joint, confirming the key role of SLO in determining infection niche. Our findings demonstrate that SLO is key to in vivo phenotype and disease outcome. Careful consideration should be given to novel therapy or vaccination strategies that target SLO. Whilst neutralising SLO activity may reduce severe invasive disease, it has the potential to promote chronic inflammatory conditions such as septic arthritis.
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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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5
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Jespersen MG, Lacey JA, Tong SYC, Davies MR. Global genomic epidemiology of Streptococcus pyogenes. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2020; 86:104609. [PMID: 33147506 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2020.104609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Streptococcus pyogenes is one of the Top 10 human infectious disease killers worldwide causing a range of clinical manifestations in humans. Colonizing a range of ecological niches within its sole host, the human, is key to the ability of this opportunistic pathogen to cause direct and post-infectious manifestations. The expansion of genome sequencing capabilities and data availability over the last decade has led to an improved understanding of the evolutionary dynamics of this pathogen within a global framework where epidemiological relationships and evolutionary mechanisms may not be universal. This review uses the recent publication by Davies et al., 2019 as an updated global framework to address S. pyogenes population genomics, highlighting how genomics is being used to gain new insights into evolutionary processes, transmission pathways, and vaccine design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magnus G Jespersen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jake A Lacey
- Doherty Department, University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Steven Y C Tong
- Doherty Department, University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Victorian Infectious Diseases Service, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, VIC, Australia
| | - Mark R Davies
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
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Valenciano SJ, Onukwube J, Spiller MW, Thomas A, Como-Sabetti K, Schaffner W, Farley M, Petit S, Watt JP, Spina N, Harrison LH, Alden NB, Torres S, Arvay ML, Beall B, Van Beneden CA. Invasive Group A Streptococcal Infections Among People Who Inject Drugs and People Experiencing Homelessness in the United States, 2010-2017. Clin Infect Dis 2020; 73:e3718-e3726. [PMID: 32803254 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciaa787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reported outbreaks of invasive group A Streptococcus (iGAS) infections among people who inject drugs (PWID) and people experiencing homelessness (PEH) have increased, concurrent with rising US iGAS rates. We describe epidemiology among iGAS patients with these risk factors. METHODS We analyzed iGAS infections from population-based Active Bacterial Core surveillance (ABCs) at 10 US sites from 2010 to 2017. Cases were defined as GAS isolated from a normally sterile site or from a wound in patients with necrotizing fasciitis or streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. GAS isolates were emm typed. We categorized iGAS patients into four categories: injection drug use (IDU) only, homelessness only, both, and neither. We calculated annual change in prevalence of these risk factors using log binomial regression models. We estimated national iGAS infection rates among PWID and PEH. RESULTS We identified 12 386 iGAS cases; IDU, homelessness, or both were documented in ~13%. Skin infections and acute skin breakdown were common among iGAS patients with documented IDU or homelessness. Endocarditis was 10-fold more frequent among iGAS patients with documented IDU only versus those with neither risk factor. Average percentage yearly increase in prevalence of IDU and homelessness among iGAS patients was 17.5% and 20.0%, respectively. iGAS infection rates among people with documented IDU or homelessness were ~14-fold and 17- to 80-fold higher, respectively, than among people without those risks. CONCLUSIONS IDU and homelessness likely contribute to increases in US incidence of iGAS infections. Improving management of skin breakdown and early recognition of skin infection could prevent iGAS infections in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra J Valenciano
- Epidemic Intelligence Service assigned to National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Division of Bacterial Diseases, Respiratory Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Jennifer Onukwube
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Division of Bacterial Diseases, Respiratory Diseases Branch, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Michael W Spiller
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Division of Bacterial Diseases, Respiratory Diseases Branch, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Ann Thomas
- Oregon Health Authority, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | | | | | - Monica Farley
- Emory University School of Medicine and the VA Medical Center, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Susan Petit
- Connecticut Department of Public Health, Hartford, Connecticut, USA
| | - James P Watt
- California Department of Public Health, Richmond, California, USA
| | - Nancy Spina
- New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Lee H Harrison
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Nisha B Alden
- Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - Salina Torres
- New Mexico Department of Health, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
| | - Melissa L Arvay
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Division of Bacterial Diseases, Respiratory Diseases Branch, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Bernard Beall
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Division of Bacterial Diseases, Respiratory Diseases Branch, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Chris A Van Beneden
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Division of Bacterial Diseases, Respiratory Diseases Branch, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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7
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Worthing KA, Werno A, Pink R, McIntyre L, Carter GP, Williamson DA, Davies MR. Biphasic Outbreak of Invasive Group A Streptococcus Disease in Eldercare Facility, New Zealand. Emerg Infect Dis 2020; 26:841-848. [PMID: 32308193 PMCID: PMC7181915 DOI: 10.3201/eid2605.190131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
A 3-month outbreak of invasive group A Streptococcus disease at an eldercare facility, in which 5 persons died, was biphasic. Although targeted chemoprophylaxis contained the initial outbreak, a second phase of the outbreak occurred after infection control processes ended. To retrospectively investigate the genomic epidemiology of the biphasic outbreak, we used whole-genome sequencing and multiple bioinformatics approaches. Analysis of isolates from the outbreak and isolates prospectively collected during the outbreak response indicated a single S. pyogenes emm81 clone among residents and staff members. Outbreak isolates differed from nonoutbreak emm81 isolates by harboring an integrative conjugative genomic element that contained the macrolide resistance determinant erm(TR). This study shows how retrospective high-resolution genomic investigations identified rapid spread of a closed-facilty clonal outbreak that was controlled, but not readily cleared, by infection control management procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate A. Worthing
- The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (K.A. Worthing, L. McIntyre, G.P. Carter, D.A. Williamson, M.R. Davies)
- Canterbury Health Laboratories, South Island, New Zealand (A. Werno)
- Canterbury District Health Board, South Island (R. Pink)
| | - Anja Werno
- The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (K.A. Worthing, L. McIntyre, G.P. Carter, D.A. Williamson, M.R. Davies)
- Canterbury Health Laboratories, South Island, New Zealand (A. Werno)
- Canterbury District Health Board, South Island (R. Pink)
| | - Ramon Pink
- The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (K.A. Worthing, L. McIntyre, G.P. Carter, D.A. Williamson, M.R. Davies)
- Canterbury Health Laboratories, South Island, New Zealand (A. Werno)
- Canterbury District Health Board, South Island (R. Pink)
| | - Liam McIntyre
- The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (K.A. Worthing, L. McIntyre, G.P. Carter, D.A. Williamson, M.R. Davies)
- Canterbury Health Laboratories, South Island, New Zealand (A. Werno)
- Canterbury District Health Board, South Island (R. Pink)
| | - Glen P. Carter
- The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (K.A. Worthing, L. McIntyre, G.P. Carter, D.A. Williamson, M.R. Davies)
- Canterbury Health Laboratories, South Island, New Zealand (A. Werno)
- Canterbury District Health Board, South Island (R. Pink)
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8
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Gergova R, Muhtarova A, Mitov I, Setchanova L, Mihova K, Kaneva R, Markovska R. Relation between emm types and virulence gene profiles among Bulgarian Streptococcus pyogenes clinical isolates. Infect Dis (Lond) 2019; 51:668-675. [DOI: 10.1080/23744235.2019.1638964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Raina Gergova
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Adile Muhtarova
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Ivan Mitov
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Lena Setchanova
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Kalina Mihova
- Department of Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Molecular Medicine Center, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Radka Kaneva
- Department of Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Molecular Medicine Center, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Rumyana Markovska
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria
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9
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Walker LW, Montoya L, Chochua S, Beall B, Green M. Increase in Invasive Group A Streptococcal Disease and Emergence of Mucoid Strains in a Pediatric Population: February-June 2017. Open Forum Infect Dis 2019; 6:ofz275. [PMID: 31281869 PMCID: PMC6602792 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofz275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 06/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Infection with group A Streptococcus (GAS) can cause severe systemic and locally invasive disease. Invasive group A streptococcal (iGAS) disease incidence varies both seasonally and year-to-year, and it may exhibit clustered outbreaks. We observed an upswing in iGAS cases at a tertiary care Children’s Hospital, prompting further characterization of local iGAS disease. Methods Cases of iGAS disease were abstracted from the medical record by manual chart review of all positive screening tests and cultures for GAS over a 4-year span. Incidence rates per 1000 hospital admissions and per 100 positive GAS tests were calculated and compared. Selected isolates were further characterized by whole-genome sequencing. Results Significant year-to-year differences in per-admission iGAS incidence rate were observed in February and June, although per-positive test incidence rates were not significantly different. Whole-genome sequencing revealed 2 dominant serotypes—emm3 and emm6—with high rates of mucoid phenotype and systemic bacteremia. Conclusions We document a significant but transient increase in iGAS disease incidence in 2 months of 2017. Genome sequencing revealed 2 dominant serotypes associated with mucoid phenotypes and severe disease, highlighting the dynamic nature of iGAS disease pattern.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lindsay Montoya
- Quality Services, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Sopio Chochua
- National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Bernard Beall
- National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Michael Green
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Pennsylvania.,Department of Pediatrics and Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pennsylvania
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10
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Teatero S, McGeer A, Tyrrell GJ, Hoang L, Smadi H, Domingo MC, Levett PN, Finkelstein M, Dewar K, Plevneshi A, Athey TBT, Gubbay JB, Mulvey MR, Martin I, Demczuk W, Fittipaldi N. Canada-Wide Epidemic of emm74 Group A Streptococcus Invasive Disease. Open Forum Infect Dis 2018; 5:ofy085. [PMID: 29780850 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofy085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2018] [Accepted: 04/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The number of invasive group A Streptococcus (iGAS) infections due to hitherto extremely rare type emm74 strains has increased in several Canadian provinces since late 2015. We hypothesized that the cases recorded in the different provinces are linked and caused by strains of an emm74 clone that recently emerged and expanded explosively. Methods We analyzed both active and passive surveillance data for iGAS infections and used whole-genome sequencing to investigate the phylogenetic relationships of the emm74 strains responsible for these invasive infections country-wide. Results Genome analysis showed that highly clonal emm74 strains, genetically different from emm74 organisms previously circulating in Canada, were responsible for a country-wide epidemic of >160 invasive disease cases. The emerging clone belonged to multilocus sequence typing ST120. The analysis also revealed dissemination patterns of emm74 subclonal lineages across Canadian provinces. Clinical data analysis indicated that the emm74 epidemic disproportionally affected middle-aged or older male individuals. Homelessness, alcohol abuse, and intravenous drug usage were significantly associated with invasive emm74 infections. Conclusions In a period of 20 months, an emm74 GAS clone emerged and rapidly spread across several Canadian provinces located more than 4500 km apart, causing invasive infections primarily among disadvantaged persons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Teatero
- Public Health Ontario Laboratory, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Allison McGeer
- Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Gregory J Tyrrell
- Alberta Provincial Laboratory for Public Health, and Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Linda Hoang
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control Public Health Laboratory, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Hanan Smadi
- New Brunswick Department of Health, Communicable Disease and Control, Fredericton, NB, Canada
| | - Marc-Christian Domingo
- Laboratoire de Santé Publique du Québec, Institut National de Santé Publique du Québec, Ste-Anne de Bellevue, QC, Canada
| | - Paul N Levett
- Saskatchewan Disease Control Laboratory, Regina, SK, Canada
| | | | - Ken Dewar
- Genome Québec Innovation Centre, and McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | | | - Jonathan B Gubbay
- Public Health Ontario Laboratory, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Michael R Mulvey
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Irene Martin
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Walter Demczuk
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Nahuel Fittipaldi
- Public Health Ontario Laboratory, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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11
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Chen M, Wang W, Tu L, Zheng Y, Pan H, Wang G, Chen Y, Zhang X, Zhu L, Chen J, Chen M. An emm5 Group A Streptococcal Outbreak Among Workers in a Factory Manufacturing Telephone Accessories. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:1156. [PMID: 28680421 PMCID: PMC5478724 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.01156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2017] [Accepted: 06/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Ranked among the top10 infectious causes of death worldwide, group A Streptococcus (GAS) causes small- and large-scale outbreaks, depending on the trigger as transmission of a GAS strain or expansion of predominant clones. In China, GAS infections other than scarlet fever are not notifiable. In Shanghai, an epidemiological investigation was initiated after two successive severe pneumonia cases with one death in a digital factory, from where outbreaks are less widely reported. The investigation was performed using emm typing, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) typing, superantigen profiling, and genome analysis. This enabled characterization of relatedness among the outbreak isolates and identification of the mobile genetic elements present. Among 57 patients with respiratory symptoms investigated in the factory, emm5 GAS strains were isolated from 8 patients. The eight GAS infection cases comprising one fatal severe pneumonia case, six influenza-like illness cases, and one pharyngitis case. Two risk factors were identified: adult with an age of 18–20 years and close contact with a GAS patient or carrier. GAS attack rate was 14.0% (8/57), and GAS carriage rate was probably around 2.7% (14/521) based on surveys in two nearby districts. All the 10 outbreak associated isolates were assigned to emm5 and sequence type ST-99 (emm5/ST-99), harbored superantigen genes speC, speG, and smeZ, and were assigned to two similar PFGE patterns (clones). Among the outbreak associated isolates, all carried ermA with resistance to erythromycin and inducible resistance to clindamycin, and eight (80%) carried a tetM gene with resistance to tetracycline. Among the 14 carriage isolates, 12 were emm12/ST-36, and 2 were emm1/ST-28, all with superantigen genes speC, speG, ssa, and smeZ. All the carriage isolates harbored ermB and tetM with resistance to erythromycin, clindamycin, and tetracycline. Genome analysis showed the two outbreak clones were closely related and possessed new prophages carrying virulence gene sdc and antibiotic resistance genes of ermA and tetM, which were not found in the emm5 reference strain Manfredo. This is the first report of a GAS outbreak in this type of workplace. The outbreak was caused by two closely related emm5 clones that differed from the predominant emm types circulating in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingliang Chen
- Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and PreventionShanghai, China.,Shanghai Institutes of Preventive MedicineShanghai, China
| | - Wenqing Wang
- Pudong New Area Center for Disease Control and PreventionShanghai, China
| | - Lihong Tu
- Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and PreventionShanghai, China
| | - Yaxu Zheng
- Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and PreventionShanghai, China
| | - Hao Pan
- Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and PreventionShanghai, China
| | - Gangyi Wang
- Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and PreventionShanghai, China
| | - Yanxin Chen
- Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and PreventionShanghai, China
| | - Xi Zhang
- Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and PreventionShanghai, China
| | - Linying Zhu
- Pudong New Area Center for Disease Control and PreventionShanghai, China
| | - Jian Chen
- Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and PreventionShanghai, China
| | - Min Chen
- Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and PreventionShanghai, China
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