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First Evidence of Streptococcus pyogenes M1 UK Clone in Pediatric Invasive Infections in Italy by Molecular
Gianluca Vrenna1,2, Martina Rossitto1,3, Marilena Agosta4
1From the Multimodal Laboratory Medicine, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
Abstract:
Invasive group A streptococci infections are increasing worldwide, mainly due to the emm1 lineage M1 UK emergence. Although this variant has recently been described in adult Italian patients, its circulation in children has not yet been established. Characterizing by whole genome sequencing 6 invasive group A streptococci strains isolated between 2022 and 2023, we highlighted M1 UK lineage circulation in pediatric patients in Italy.
Insights
Invasive group A streptococci infections, particularly the M1 UK strain, are rising globally. This study confirms the M1 UK lineage is circulating in Italian children, a previously unestablished finding.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Genomics
Background:
- Invasive group A streptococci (iGAS) infections are a growing global health concern.
- The emm1 lineage, specifically the M1 UK variant, is a primary driver of this increase in adults.
- The presence and circulation of the M1 UK variant in pediatric populations in Italy remained uncharacterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the circulation of the emm1 lineage M1 UK variant in invasive group A streptococci strains from pediatric patients in Italy.
- To establish the presence of this specific iGAS variant in a pediatric cohort.
Main Methods:
- Whole genome sequencing was performed on six invasive group A streptococci strains.
- The isolates were collected from pediatric patients between 2022 and 2023 in Italy.
- Genomic analysis focused on identifying the emm1 lineage and the M1 UK variant.
Main Results:
- The M1 UK lineage of emm1 group A streptococci was identified in the analyzed pediatric isolates.
- This confirms the circulation of the M1 UK variant in invasive group A streptococci infections among children in Italy.
- The study provides molecular evidence for this specific pathogen's presence in the Italian pediatric population.
Conclusions:
- The M1 UK lineage of invasive group A streptococci is circulating in pediatric patients in Italy.
- This finding is significant given the increasing global incidence of iGAS infections driven by this variant.
- Further surveillance of pediatric iGAS infections, particularly the M1 UK strain, is warranted in Italy.
