Dataset Information

Population of invasive group A streptococci isolates from a German tertiary care center is dominated by the hypertoxigenic virulent M1_UK genotype.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Hypertoxigenic Streptococcus pyogenes emm1 lineage M1_UK has recently been associated with upsurges of invasive infections and scarlet fever in several countries, but whole-genome sequencing surveillance data of lineages circulating in Germany is lacking. In this study, we investigated recent iGAS isolates from our laboratory at a German tertiary care center for the presence of the M1_UK lineage.

Methods

Whole-genome sequencing was employed to characterize a collection of 47 consecutive non-copy isolates recovered from blood cultures (21) and tissue samples (26) in our laboratory between October 2022 and April 2023.

Results

M protein gene (emm) typing distinguished 14 different emm types, with emm1 (17) being the dominant type. Single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis confirmed the presence of all 27 SNPs characteristic for the M1_UK lineage in 14 of 17 emm1 isolates.

Conclusion

This study has shown for the first time that M1_UK is present in Germany and might constitute a driving force in the observed surge of GAS infections. This observation mirrors developments in the UK and other countries and underscores the importance of WGS surveillance to understand the epidemiology of GAS.

SUBMITTER: Wolters M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10954911 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Population of invasive group A streptococci isolates from a German tertiary care center is dominated by the hypertoxigenic virulent M1<sub>UK</sub> genotype.

Wolters Manuel M Berinson Benjamin B Degel-Brossmann Nicole N Hoffmann Armin A Bluszis Rico R Aepfelbacher Martin M Rohde Holger H Christner Martin M

Infection 20231208 2

<h4>Purpose</h4>Hypertoxigenic Streptococcus pyogenes emm1 lineage M1<sub>UK</sub> has recently been associated with upsurges of invasive infections and scarlet fever in several countries, but whole-genome sequencing surveillance data of lineages circulating in Germany is lacking. In this study, we investigated recent iGAS isolates from our laboratory at a German tertiary care center for the presence of the M1<sub>UK</sub> lineage.<h4>Methods</h4>Whole-genome sequencing was employed to character ...[more]

PMID: 38064158

Similar Datasets

Project description:Streptococcus pyogenes genotype emm1 is a successful, globally distributed epidemic clone that is regarded as inherently virulent. An emm1 sublineage, M1UK, that produces increased levels of SpeA toxin was associated with increased scarlet fever and invasive infections in England in 2015/2016. Defined by 27 SNPs in the core genome, M1UK is now dominant in England. To more fully characterize M1UK, we undertook comparative transcriptomic and proteomic analyses of M1UK and contemporary non-M1UK emm1 strains (M1global). Just seven genes were differentially expressed by M1UK compared with contemporary M1global strains. In addition to speA, five genes in the operon that includes glycerol dehydrogenase were upregulated in M1UK (gldA, mipB/talC, pflD, and phosphotransferase system IIC and IIB components), while aquaporin (glpF2) was downregulated. M1UK strains have a stop codon in gldA. Deletion of gldA in M1global abrogated glycerol dehydrogenase activity, and recapitulated upregulation of gene expression within the operon that includes gldA, consistent with a feedback effect. Phylogenetic analysis identified two intermediate emm1 sublineages in England comprising 13/27 (M113SNPs) and 23/27 SNPs (M123SNPs), respectively, that had failed to expand in the population. Proteomic analysis of invasive strains from the four phylogenetic emm1 groups highlighted sublineage-specific changes in carbohydrate metabolism, protein synthesis and protein processing; upregulation of SpeA was not observed in chemically defined medium. In rich broth, however, expression of SpeA was upregulated ~10-fold in both M123SNPs and M1UK sublineages, compared with M113SNPs and M1global. We conclude that stepwise accumulation of SNPs led to the emergence of M1UK. While increased expression of SpeA is a key indicator of M1UK and undoubtedly important, M1UK strains have outcompeted M123SNPs and other emm types that produce similar or more superantigen toxin. We speculate that an accumulation of adaptive SNPs has contributed to a wider fitness advantage in M1UK on an inherently successful emm1 streptococcal background.

Dataset Information

Population of invasive group A streptococci isolates from a German tertiary care center is dominated by the hypertoxigenic virulent M1_UK genotype.

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Publications

Population of invasive group A streptococci isolates from a German tertiary care center is dominated by the hypertoxigenic virulent M1<sub>UK</sub> genotype.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets

Dataset Information

Population of invasive group A streptococci isolates from a German tertiary care center is dominated by the hypertoxigenic virulent M1UK genotype.

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Publications

Population of invasive group A streptococci isolates from a German tertiary care center is dominated by the hypertoxigenic virulent M1<sub>UK</sub> genotype.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets

Population of invasive group A streptococci isolates from a German tertiary care center is dominated by the hypertoxigenic virulent M1_UK genotype.