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Rapid selection of complement-inhibiting protein variants in group A Streptococcus epidemic waves

N P Hoe1, K Nakashima, S Lukomski

  • 1Institute for the Study of Human Bacterial Pathogenesis, Department of Pathology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.

Nature Medicine
|July 30, 1999
PubMed

Insights

Group A Streptococcus M1 strains cause epidemics with diverse variants of streptococcal inhibitor of complement. These variants rapidly emerge through natural selection, impacting infectious disease dynamics.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Serotype M1 group A Streptococcus is linked to epidemic human infections.
  • These infections were previously believed to originate from limited clonal strains.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the genetic diversity of the streptococcal inhibitor of complement gene in M1 group A Streptococcus strains during epidemic waves.
  • To understand the population dynamics and evolution of these pathogens.

Main Methods:

  • Sequencing of the streptococcal inhibitor of complement gene in 1,132 M1 group A Streptococcus strains.
  • Analysis of strains from population-based surveillance in Canada, Finland, and the United States.

Main Results:

  • Epidemic waves comprise M1 strains with a wide variety of streptococcal inhibitor of complement variants.
  • These variants demonstrate rapid evolution and natural selection on mucosal surfaces.

Conclusions:

  • Epidemic M1 group A Streptococcus populations are genetically diverse, not clonal.
  • Rapid evolution of streptococcal inhibitor of complement contributes to pathogen adaptability and reemergence of infectious diseases.

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