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Rapid emergence of emm84 among invasive Streptococcus pyogenes infections in Finland

Tuula Siljander1, Outi Lyytikäinen, Susanna Vähäkuopus

  • 1Department of Bacterial and Inflammatory Diseases, Hospital Bacteria Laboratory, National Public Health Institute, Helsinki, Finland. tuula.siljander@thl.fi

Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|December 17, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Invasive Streptococcus pyogenes disease rose in Finland from 2005-2007, linked to the emm84 gene. Strains with emm84 showed similar fatality rates to other Streptococcus pyogenes types.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Epidemiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Invasive Streptococcus pyogenes disease (iGAS) poses a significant public health threat.
  • Understanding the genetic factors driving iGAS incidence is crucial for effective surveillance and control.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the rise in invasive Streptococcus pyogenes disease in Finland between 2005 and 2007.
  • To determine the role of the emm84 gene in this incidence increase and its impact on disease severity.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of invasive Streptococcus pyogenes isolates from Finland.
  • Molecular typing to identify emm gene prevalence, focusing on emm84.
  • Comparison of case fatality rates between emm84-positive and emm84-negative iGAS cases.

Main Results:

  • A sharp increase in invasive Streptococcus pyogenes disease incidence was observed in Finland from 2005 to 2007.
  • The uncommon emm84 gene became notably more prevalent starting in 2006, coinciding with the incidence rise.
  • The case fatality rate for emm84-carrying strains (7%) was not significantly different from other strains (10%).

Conclusions:

  • The emergence and increased prevalence of the emm84 gene were associated with the rise in invasive Streptococcus pyogenes disease in Finland.
  • Despite the increased incidence, the emm84 genotype did not appear to confer a higher mortality risk compared to other Streptococcus pyogenes strains.

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