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Updated: Aug 9, 2026
Capsular Serotyping of Streptococcus pneumoniae by Latex Agglutination
Published on: September 25, 2014
Prevalence and persistence of certain serologic types of Streptococcus pyogenes in metropolitan Tokyo
Tatsu Iimura1, Yoshikatsu Kashiwagi, Miyoko Endo
1Tokyo Metropolitan Toshima Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
Abstract:
M-typing was conducted for Streptococcus pyogenes strains isolated within 1 week of admission from patients admitted to the Tokyo Metropolitan Toshima Hospital for scarlet fever in the 23-year period between 1956 and 1978. M12 was detected in the largest number of patients, followed by M6, M4, M3, and M1. T-typing was also conducted for Streptococcus pyogenes strains isolated from healthy schoolchildren in three different parts of the 20-year period between 1977 and 1998. T12 was detected in the largest number of children, followed by T28, T1, T4, and T6. These results suggested that strains of similar types are prevalent in scarlet fever patients and healthy carriers, that these strains become prevalent at intervals of several years, and that they are detected every year, albeit in a small number of persons, indicating that they are endemic. Isolated strains were typed by M-typing and T-typing. The results of typing were identical in more than 90% of cases. Comparison of major Streptococcus pyogenes strains isolated in Tokyo and three other major cities abroad showed that M12 was detected in the largest number of persons in Tokyo and New York and that major types were similar in the four cities.
Insights
Streptococcus pyogenes M-typing revealed M12 as the most common type in scarlet fever patients. Similar prevalent strains were found in healthy carriers, suggesting endemicity and cyclical outbreaks.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Scarlet fever is a significant public health concern caused by Streptococcus pyogenes.
- Understanding the prevalent M-types of Streptococcus pyogenes is crucial for epidemiological surveillance.
- Longitudinal studies are needed to track serotype prevalence over time.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the M-type and T-type distribution of Streptococcus pyogenes in scarlet fever patients and healthy carriers in Tokyo.
- To compare the prevalence of Streptococcus pyogenes strains in Tokyo with other major global cities.
- To understand the temporal dynamics and endemicity of specific Streptococcus pyogenes serotypes.
Main Methods:
- M-typing and T-typing of Streptococcus pyogenes strains isolated from scarlet fever patients (1956-1978).
- T-typing of Streptococcus pyogenes strains isolated from healthy schoolchildren (1977-1998).
- Comparison of major Streptococcus pyogenes strains from Tokyo with those from three other major international cities.
Main Results:
- M12 was the most frequently detected M-type in scarlet fever patients, followed by M6, M4, M3, and M1.
- T12 was the most common T-type in healthy schoolchildren, followed by T28, T1, T4, and T6.
- Over 90% concordance between M-typing and T-typing results was observed.
- M12 was also prevalent in Tokyo and New York, with similar major types found across four major cities.
Conclusions:
- Similar Streptococcus pyogenes strains are prevalent in both scarlet fever patients and healthy carriers, indicating endemicity.
- Prevalent strains appear to emerge at intervals of several years, with continuous low-level circulation.
- The findings suggest a degree of global similarity in dominant Streptococcus pyogenes serotypes.
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