Prevalent emm Types among Invasive GAS in Europe and North America since Year 2000

[摘要] BackgroundStreptococcus pyogenes or group A streptococcus (GAS) is an important human pathogen responsible for a broad range of infections, from uncomplicated to more severe and invasive diseases with high mortality and morbidity. Epidemiological surveillance has been crucial to detect changes in the geographical and temporal variation of the disease pattern; for this purpose the M protein gene (emm) gene typing is the most widely used genotyping method, with more than 200 emm types recognized. Molecular epidemiological data have been also used for the development of GAS M protein-based vaccines.

[学科分类] 卫生学

[关键词] group A streptococcus invasive disease;Streptococcus pyogenes;emm types;Europe;North America;group A streptococci