Naturally Acquired Protection Against Upper Respiratory Symptoms Involving Group A Streptococcus in a Longitudinal Cohort Study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Pharyngitis due to group A Streptococcus (GAS) represents a major cause of outpatient visits and antibiotic use in the United States. A leading vaccine candidate targets 30 of the > 200 emm types of GAS. We aimed to assess natural protection conferred by GAS against respiratory symptoms.

Methods

In a 5-year study among school-aged children in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pharyngeal cultures were obtained from children at 2-week intervals, and active surveillance was conducted for respiratory illnesses. We assessed protection via the relative odds of previous detection of homologous strains (defined by field-inversion gel electrophoresis banding pattern), emm types, and emm clusters at visits where GAS was detected with symptoms, vs visits where GAS was detected witho

SUBMITTER: Lewnard JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7750950 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature