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A new Streptococcus group A M-29 variant isolated during a suspected common-source epidemic
Abstract:
In the summer of 1988, a large epidemic of acute pharyngitis occurred in an Israeli military base. The clinical features were those of acute pharyngitis. The epidemic curve was characteristic of a common-source outbreak, possibly food-borne. Throat swabs from a sample of cases were positive for group A streptococci. Nine isolates from the epidemic were further evaluated at the local reference laboratory and serotyping showed that all were of the same strain with a distinct M protein that is a hitherto undescribed variant of M-29. We discuss the significance of unusual strains of beta-hemolytic Streptococcus appearing in food-borne outbreaks.
Insights
A 1988 Israeli military base outbreak of acute pharyngitis was caused by an unusual strain of group A Streptococcus. This food-borne illness highlights the significance of novel beta-hemolytic Streptococcus strains in public health emergencies.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Acute pharyngitis outbreaks can pose significant public health challenges.
- Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is a common cause of bacterial pharyngitis.
- Identifying novel strains is crucial for effective outbreak management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cause of a large acute pharyngitis epidemic at an Israeli military base in 1988.
- To characterize the specific strain of group A Streptococcus responsible for the outbreak.
- To discuss the implications of unusual Streptococcus strains in food-borne disease outbreaks.
Main Methods:
- Epidemiological investigation of the outbreak, including analysis of the epidemic curve.
- Microbiological analysis of throat swabs from affected individuals.
- Serotyping of group A Streptococcus isolates to identify M protein variants.
Main Results:
- The epidemic presented with clinical features of acute pharyngitis and followed a common-source outbreak pattern, likely food-borne.
- Throat swabs confirmed the presence of group A Streptococcus in a sample of cases.
- All nine analyzed isolates belonged to a single strain with a novel M-29 protein variant.
Conclusions:
- The 1988 Israeli military base outbreak was attributed to a distinct, previously undescribed strain of group A Streptococcus.
- The findings underscore the importance of monitoring and characterizing unusual Streptococcus strains, particularly in food-borne transmission scenarios.
- Further research into the epidemiology and virulence of novel GAS strains is warranted.