Disease burden due to Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis (group G and C streptococcus) is higher than that due to Streptococcus pyogenes among Mumbai school children

Abstract

Disease burden due to Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis (group G and C streptococcus) is higher than that due to Streptococcus pyogenes among Mumbai school children Streptococcus pyogenes [group A streptococcus (GAS)], a human pathogen, and Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis [human group G and C streptococcus (GGS/GCS)] are evolutionarily related, share the same tissue niche in humans, exchange genetic material, share up to half of their virulence-associated genes and cause a similar spectrum of diseases. Yet, GGS/ GCS is often considered as a commensal bacterium and its role in streptococcal disease burden is under-recognized. While reports of the recovery of GGS/GCS from normally sterile sites are increasing, studies describing GGS/GCS throat colonization rates relative to GAS in the same population are very few. This study was carried out in India where the burden of streptococcal diseases, including rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease, is high. As part of a surveillance study, throat swabs were taken from 1504 children attending 7 municipal schools in Mumbai, India, during 2006-2008. GAS and GGS/GCS were identified on the basis of b-haemolytic activity, carbohydrate group and PYR test, and were subsequently typed. The GGS/GCS carriage rate (166/1504, 11 %) was eightfold higher than the GAS carriage (22/1504, 1.5 %) rate in this population. The 166 GGS/GCS isolates collected represented 21 different emm types (molecular types), and the 22 GAS isolates represented 15 different emm types. Although the rate of pharyngitis associated with GGS/GCS is marginally lower than with GAS, high rates of throat colonization by GGS/GCS underscore its importance in the pathogenesis of pharyngitis.

Group C Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis in south-east Brazil: genetic diversity, resistance profile and the first report of human and equine isolates belonging to the same multilocus sequence typing lineage

“…A considerable increase in human infections associated with SDSE has been reported since the end of the last decade and studies have shown that the incidence of these isolates is similar to or even exceeds that of S. pyogenes in some countries (Bramhachari et al, 2010;Broyles et al, 2009). Despite our having analysed a convenience collection, the data clearly revealed some new and important information about SDSE.…”

Eritrodermia con bacteriemia por Streptococcus dysgalactiae subespecie equisimilis en un paciente pediátrico: reporte de un caso y revisión de la literatura

“…Sin embargo, los casos de faringitis estreptocóccica fueron en su mayoría provocadas por S. pyogenes, lo que abre un debate en relación al rol patogénico de SDSE en la enfermedad estreptocóccica y post-estreptocóccica 4,10 . El diagnóstico microbiológico se realiza por la evidencia de hemólisis en placas de agar sangre y la identificación de los antígenos C y G. Sin embargo, hay que diferenciarlo de Streptococcus del grupo anginosus, lo que se logra con la reacción de Voges-Proskauer.…”

Septic Osteoarthritis Due to Streptococcus dysgalactiae Subspecies equisimilis in a Three-Year-Old Girl

“…SDSE is a common colonizer of the oral and pharyngeal mucosa in children (15). It is classically considered a commensal of mucosae and the burden of disease is under recognized (16).…”