Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 22, 2025
Characterization of a Pathogenic Escherichia coli Strain Derived from Oreochromis spp. Farms Using Whole-Genome Sequencing
Published on: December 23, 2022
Invasive Infection With emm3/ST15 Streptococcus pyogenes: The First Case Report From China and Complete Genome
Xinli Mu1, Yanfei Wang1, Lu Sun1
1Department of Infectious Diseases, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Regional Medical Center for National Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology and Bioinformatics of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China.
Abstract:
Streptococcus pyogenes (GAS) may cause severe invasive disease with a high fatality rate, especially M3-type strains, which are less common in China. Here, we report the first emm3/ST15 invasive GAS infection case in China. The patient was diagnosed with severe skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI) and septicaemia caused by one GAS strain. Antibiotic susceptibility tests showed that the isolate was susceptible to all tested drugs. Antimicrobial therapy was then applied, and the patient fully recovered and was discharged from the hospital on Day 43. Whole-genome sequencing was carried out using the Illumina and Oxford Nanopore platforms and revealed this to be the first emm3/ST15-type GAS invasive infection in China. The closely related emm3/ST15-type GAS strains are MGAS315 from the United States and M3-b from Japan. Our finding is a warning that we should pay attention to invasive M3-type GAS infections in China and indicates the global spread of the highly virulent emm3/ST15 GAS strain.
Insights
The first invasive emm3/ST15 Streptococcus pyogenes infection in China was reported. This highly virulent strain, causing severe skin and soft tissue infections, highlights the need for increased surveillance.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Genomics
Background:
- Streptococcus pyogenes (GAS) causes severe invasive disease with high mortality.
- M3-type strains are less common but associated with increased virulence.
- Invasive GAS infections pose a significant global health threat.
Observation:
- A patient in China presented with severe skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI) and septicemia.
- The causative agent was identified as Streptococcus pyogenes.
- The isolate was susceptible to all tested antibiotics.
Findings:
- This case represents the first documented invasive emm3/ST15 Streptococcus pyogenes infection in China.
- Whole-genome sequencing confirmed the strain's genetic profile.
- Closely related strains were identified in the United States and Japan.
Implications:
- The emergence of emm3/ST15 GAS in China warrants heightened clinical and public health attention.
- This finding underscores the global dissemination of highly virulent GAS strains.
- Enhanced surveillance for invasive M3-type GAS infections in China is recommended.
