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Geoepidemiological hints about Streptococcus pyogenes strains in relationship with acute rheumatic fever

Susanna Esposito1, Sonia Bianchini1, Michele Fastiggi2

  • 1Pediatric Highly Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.

Autoimmunity Reviews
|March 17, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Certain Group A Streptococcus (GAS) emm types are linked to acute rheumatic fever (ARF). Identifying these "rheumatogenic" strains is crucial for preventing GAS infections and ARF globally.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Group A Streptococcus (GAS) strains are classified by emm gene variations.
  • The link between specific GAS emm types and diseases like acute rheumatic fever (ARF) remains unclear.
  • ARF is a multisystemic inflammatory condition triggered by an aberrant immune response to GAS infection in susceptible individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between GAS emm types and the incidence of ARF.
  • To identify specific rheumatogenic GAS strains.
  • To explore geographical and demographic variations in emm type prevalence related to ARF.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic literature review of studies published in PubMed over the last 15 years.
  • Keywords used: "Streptococcus pyogenes" or "group A Streptococcus" and "acute rheumatic fever".
  • Analysis of emm type prevalence and correlation with ARF across different countries, age groups, and genders.

Main Results:

  • Prevalence of specific emm types varies significantly worldwide.
  • A limited number of emm types are identified as potentially "rheumatogenic", capable of inducing ARF.
  • Notable differences in rheumatogenic emm type distribution exist between developing and developed countries.

Conclusions:

  • The association between emm types and ARF is complex and geographically variable.
  • Enhanced surveillance of disease-causing GAS variants in high-ARF communities is recommended.
  • Identifying rheumatogenic strains could aid in developing primary prophylaxis strategies against GAS infections.
Keywords:
Acute rheumatic feverGroup A StreptococcusStreptococcal complication

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