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In Situ Detection of Bacteria within Paraffin-embedded Tissues Using a Digoxin-labeled DNA Probe Targeting 16S rRNA
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Detection of genes encoding internalization-associated proteins in Streptococcus pyogenes isolates from patients with

Lucilla Baldassarri1, Roberta Creti, Monica Imperi

  • 1Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive, Parassitarie ed Immunomediate, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy. baldassa@iss.it

Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|February 9, 2007
PubMed

Insights

This study examined Streptococcus pyogenes genes for fibronectin-binding proteins in invasive infections versus carriers. No significant differences were found in prtF1, prtF2, or fba genes, but macrolide resistance genes strongly associated with prtF1/prtF2.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Streptococcus pyogenes causes invasive infections and asymptomatic carriage.
  • Fibronectin-binding proteins (FBPs) are virulence factors in S. pyogenes.
  • Genes prtF1, prtF2, and fba encode key fibronectin-binding proteins.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence of prtF1, prtF2, and fba genes in S. pyogenes.
  • To evaluate the association of these FBP genes with invasive infections versus asymptomatic carriage.
  • To explore correlations between FBP genes and macrolide resistance.

Main Methods:

  • Genomic analysis of 161 S. pyogenes isolates.
  • Detection of prtF1, prtF2, and fba genes using molecular techniques.
  • Correlation analysis between FBP genes, clinical source, and erm genes (macrolide resistance).

Main Results:

  • No significant differences in prtF1, prtF2, or fba gene presence between invasive and carrier isolates.
  • The fba gene was slightly more prevalent in carrier strains.
  • A strong association was found between erm genes (macrolide resistance) and the co-occurrence of prtF1 and prtF2 genes.

Conclusions:

  • The studied FBP genes (prtF1, prtF2, fba) do not appear to differentiate between invasive S. pyogenes and carrier strains.
  • Macrolide resistance, linked to erm genes, is significantly associated with throat swab isolates.
  • The combination of prtF1 and prtF2 may synergize with macrolide resistance for enhanced S. pyogenes colonization or invasion.

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