Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 8, 2025
Constructing Mutants in Serotype 1 Streptococcus pneumoniae strain 519/43
Published on: September 11, 2020
Molecular Characteristics of Streptococcus pyogenes Isolated From Chinese Children With Different Diseases
Dingle Yu1,2, Yunmei Liang3, Qinghua Lu1,2
1Microbiology Laboratory, National Center for Children's Health, Beijing Pediatric Research Institute, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
Abstract:
Streptococcus pyogenes is a bacterial pathogen that causes a wide spectrum of clinical diseases exclusively in humans. The distribution of emm type, antibiotic resistance and virulence gene expression for S. pyogenes varies temporally and geographically, resulting in distinct disease spectra. In this study, we analyzed antibiotic resistance and resistance gene expression patterns among S. pyogenes isolates from pediatric patients in China and investigated the relationship between virulence gene expression, emm type, and disease categories. Forty-two representative emm1.0 and emm12.0 strains (n = 20 and n = 22, respectively) isolated from patients with scarlet fever or obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome were subjected to whole-genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. These strains were further analyzed for susceptibility to vancomycin. We found a high rate and degree of resistance to macrolides and tetracycline in these strains, which mainly expressed ermB and tetM. The disease category correlated with emm type but not superantigens. The distribution of vanuG and virulence genes were associated with emm type. Previously reported important prophages, such as φHKU16.vir, φHKU488.vir, Φ5005.1, Φ5005.2, and Φ5005.3 encoding streptococcal toxin, and integrative conjugative elements (ICEs) such as ICE-emm12 and ICE-HKU397 encoding macrolide and tetracycline resistance were found present amongst emm1 or emm12 clones from Shenzhen, China.
Insights
This study reveals significant macrolide and tetracycline resistance in Streptococcus pyogenes strains from Chinese children, linked to specific emm types and mobile genetic elements. These findings highlight evolving antibiotic resistance patterns in this pathogen.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genomics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Streptococcus pyogenes causes diverse human diseases, with emm type, antibiotic resistance, and virulence varying geographically.
- Understanding these variations is crucial for managing S. pyogenes infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze antibiotic resistance and virulence gene expression in S. pyogenes from Chinese pediatric patients.
- To investigate the relationship between emm type, disease category, and genetic elements.
Main Methods:
- Whole-genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of 42 S. pyogenes strains (emm1.0 and emm12.0).
- Analysis of antibiotic susceptibility (vancomycin, macrolides, tetracycline) and resistance gene expression (ermB, tetM).
- Investigation of virulence genes, prophages, and integrative conjugative elements (ICEs).
Main Results:
- High rates of macrolide and tetracycline resistance were observed, primarily mediated by ermB and tetM.
- Disease category correlated with emm type, but not superantigens.
- Distribution of vancomycin resistance genes (vanuG) and virulence factors associated with emm type.
- Specific prophages and ICEs encoding resistance were identified in emm1 and emm12 clones.
Conclusions:
- emm type is a significant factor in S. pyogenes epidemiology and resistance patterns in China.
- Mobile genetic elements like ICEs play a role in the spread of antibiotic resistance.
- Distinct genetic profiles of emm1 and emm12 strains are associated with specific virulence and resistance mechanisms.
