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. 2007 Nov;13(11):1694-700.
doi: 10.3201/eid1311.061258.

Epidemiology of Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis in tropical communities, Northern Australia

Malcolm McDonald  1 , Rebecca J Towers, Ross M Andrews, Jonathan R Carapetis, Bart J Currie
Affiliations

Epidemiology of Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis in tropical communities, Northern Australia

Malcolm McDonald et al. Emerg Infect Dis. 2007 Nov.

Abstract

Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis (groups C and G streptococci [GCS/GGS]) is an increasingly recognized human pathogen, although it may follow indirect pathways. Prospective surveillance of selected households in 3 remote Aboriginal communities in Australia provided 337 GCS/GGS isolates that were emm sequence-typed. Lancefield group C isolates (GCS) were localized to specific households and group G isolates (GGS) were more evenly distributed. GCS/GGS was more frequently recovered from the throat than group A streptococci (GAS [S. pyogenes]) but rarely recovered from skin sores, and then only with Staphylococcus aureus or GAS. Symptomatic GGS/GGC pharyngitis was also rare. Specific emm sequence types of GCS/GGS did not appear to cycle through the communities (sequential strain replacement) in a manner suggesting acquisition of type-specific immunity. These communities already have high levels of streptococcal and poststreptococcal disease. GCS/GGS may increase in importance as it acquires key virulence factors from GAS by lateral gene transfer.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Monthly recovery rates of most common Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis (group C and group G streptococci) emm sequence subtypes (STs) in community 1, Northern Territory, Australia. Values along the y-axes are no. bacterial isolates per 100 consultations. No obvious pattern of sequential strain replacement was seen as with Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococci) (17).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Venn diagram of positive throat swabs, Northern Territory, Australia, showing that group A streptococci (GAS) and Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis (GCS/GGS) appear almost mutually exclusive. Thirteen persons had GAS and GCS or GGS, and 1 child had GAS, GCS, and GGS.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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