Epidemiology and emm types among group A streptococcal pharyngitis in Finland: a prospective laboratory-based study.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Streptococcus pyogenes (mostly termed group A Streptococcus - GAS) is the most important bacterial causative of pharyngitis. However, epidemiology of GAS pharyngitis is not widely established. This study describes GAS pharyngitis cases and emm-type distribution in a prospective study covering over 2 years in two Hospital Districts in Finland.

Methods

A prospective, systematic collection of GAS pharyngitis isolates was conducted between March 2018 and December 2020 in two large Hospital Districts in Finland. Patient characteristics (age, gender) were included if available. All GAS isolates collected were emm typed.

Results

Altogether 1320 GAS pharyngitis strains were collected, 904 in the Hospital District 1 (HD1) and 416 in Hospital District 2 (HD2). In HD1, a

SUBMITTER: Virolainen M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10821968 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature