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A case of structure determination using pseudosymmetryEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Here, a case is presented of an unusual structure determination which was facilitated by the use of pseudosymmetry. Group A streptococcus uses cysteine protease Mac-1 (also known as IdeS) to evade the host immune system. Native Mac-1 was crystallized in the orthorhombic space group P21212. Surprisingly, crystals of the inactive C94A mutant of Mac-1 displayed monoclinic symmetry with space group P21, despite the use of native orthorhombic Mac-1 microcrystals for seeding. Attempts to solve the structure of the C94A mutant by MAD phasing in the monoclinic space group did not produce an interpretable map. The native Patterson ...
Source: Acta Crystallographica Section D - November 17, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Radaev, S.Agniswamy, J.Sun, P.D. Tags: pseudosymmetry structure determination cysteine proteases Mac-1 short communications Source Type: journals

Artificial induction of autophagy around polystyrene beads in nonphagocytic cells.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Autophagy is an intracellular event that acts as an innate cellular defense mechanism to kill invading bacteria such as group A Streptococcus in nonphagocytic epithelial-like cells. The cellular events underlying autophagosome formation upon bacterial invasion remain unclear due to the biochemical complexity associated with uncharacterized bacterial components, and the difficulty of predicting the location as well as the timing of where/when autophagosome formation will take place. To overcome these problems, we monitored autophagosome formation in living nonphagocytic cells by inducing autophagy around artificial micr...
Source: Autophagy - November 13, 2009 Category: Cytology Authors: Kobayashi S, Kojidani T, Osakada H, Yamamoto A, Yoshimori T, Hiraoka Y, Haraguchi T Tags: Autophagy Source Type: journals

A Novel Study Discovers A New Communication System Between StreptococciEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Group A streptococcus (GAS) is a human pathogenic bacteria. Many people carry GAS asymptomatically in their upper respiratory tract and other anatomic sites. However, these bacteria can cause a variety of human diseases ranging from superficial skin and throat infections to highly invasive life-threatening diseases such as toxic shock and necrotizing fasciitis, commonly known as the flesh-eating bacteria. (Source: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses News From Medical News Today)
Source: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses News From Medical News Today - November 11, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Tags: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses Source Type: news

Passive protection in mice challenged with a recombinant bioluminescent M49 group A streptococcus strain: Correlation between bioluminescence and bacterial burden.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Streptococcus pyogenes also known as group A streptococcus (GAS), is a human pathogen which infects people of all age groups. Previous work has reported conformationally constrained chimeric peptide J8 to protect against GAS challenge. In the current study, we demonstrate the utility of bioluminescent imaging as a rapid technique to monitor bacterial dissemination following the passive transfer of rabbit anti-J8 antibodies to naïve mice and subsequent challenge with recombinant M49 GAS strain, an emm type shown to be associated with post-streptococcal glomerular nephritis. PMID: 19889937 [PubMed - as supplied ...
Source: Clinical and Vaccine Immunology - November 4, 2009 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Sheel M, Pandey M, Good MF, Batzloff MR Tags: Clin Vaccine Immunol Source Type: journals

Acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis in children of French Polynesia: a 3-year retrospective studyEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract The aim of this study was to define the current demographic, clinical and prognostic characteristics of acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis (APSGN) in French Polynesia and to compare these features with those of other populations. Fifty children, all of whom were <15 years old and had been admitted to the Territorial Hospital of Papeete for APSGN between January 2005 and December 2007, were retrospectively enrolled in the study. Diagnostic criteria were microscopic or macroscopic haematuria, decreased C3 fraction of the complement and evidence of recent streptococcal infection. The annual...
Source: Pediatric Nephrology - October 29, 2009 Category: Urology & Nephrology Tags: Pediatric Nephrology Source Type: journals

Sacroiliitis infected with group A streptococcus in a child presenting with confusion and combativenessEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract Group A streptococcus-associated severe invasive infection (streptococcal toxic shock syndrome) has been described. Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome occurs when the infecting strain of group A streptococcus produces superantigens. Confusion and combativeness are well known as the common symptoms of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. We encountered a child who suffered from pyogenic sacroiliitis, with confusion and combativeness. Group A streptococcus was isolated from the patient’s blood culture. However, his disease did not fulfill the criteria of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. Pyogenic s...
Source: Journal of Infection and Chemotherapy - October 24, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Tags: Journal of Infection and Chemotherapy Source Type: journals

Retinal hemorrhages associated with meningitis in a child with a congenital disorder of glycosylationEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract A 9-month old infant presented in a state of shock to a district hospital. She was subsequently referred to the regional tertiary hospital. On admission, bruises were noted on the vertex of the skull. Retinal hemorrhages were present on ophthalmological examination. CT scan of the brain showed poor grey–white matter differentiation with apparent frontoparietal fractures of the skull. Her case was subsequently referred to the relevant authorities as it was suspicious for nonaccident injury (NAI). Her condition deteriorated and she died the next day. Postmortem examination showed that the bruises on...
Source: Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology - October 22, 2009 Category: Forensic Medicine Tags: Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology Source Type: journals

Autophagy Induction by the Pathogen Receptor CD46.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
We report here that the engagement of CD46, a ubiquitous human surface receptor able to bind several different pathogens, is sufficient to induce autophagy. CD46-Cyt-1, one of the two C-terminal splice variants of CD46, is linked to the autophagosome formation complex VPS34/Beclin1 via its interaction with the scaffold protein GOPC. Measles virus and group A Streptococcus, two CD46-binding pathogens, induce autophagy through a CD46-Cyt-1/GOPC pathway. Thus, upon microorganism recognition, a cell surface pathogen receptor can directly trigger autophagy, a critical step to control infection. PMID: 19837375 [PubMed - in p...
Source: Cell Host and Microbe - October 21, 2009 Category: Microbiology Authors: Joubert PE, Meiffren G, Grégoire IP, Pontini G, Richetta C, Flacher M, Azocar O, Vidalain PO, Vidal M, Lotteau V, Codogno P, Rabourdin-Combe C, Faure M Tags: Cell Host Microbe Source Type: journals

Disease burden due to Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis (group G and C streptococci; GGS/GCS) is higher than due to S. pyogenes among Mumbai school children.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This study was carried out in India where burden of streptococcal diseases, including rheumatic fever (RF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD), is high. As part of surveillance study, throat swabs were taken from 1504 children attending seven municipal schools in Mumbai, India during 2006-08. GAS and GGS/GCS were identified on the basis of beta-haemolytic activity, group carbohydrate and PYR-test, and subsequently typed. The GGS/GCS carriage rate (166/1504, 10%) was eight-fold higher than the GAS carriage (22/1504, 1.4%) rate in this population. The 166 GGS/GCS isolates collected represented 21 different emm-types (molecular...
Source: Journal of Medical Microbiology - October 14, 2009 Category: Microbiology Authors: Bramhachari PV, Kaul SY, McMillan DJ, Shaila MS, Karmarkar MG, Sriprakash KS Tags: J Med Microbiol Source Type: journals

Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome following insertion of an intrauterine device--a case report.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
CONCLUSION: This is the first reported case of GAS causing a TSS associated with insertion of an IUD. Streptococcal TSS can be fatal. Early aggressive management is mandatory. PMID: 19916766 [PubMed - in process] (Source: The European Journal of Contraception and Reproductive Health Care)
Source: The European Journal of Contraception and Reproductive Health Care - October 1, 2009 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Venkataramanasetty R, Aburawi A, Phillip H Tags: Eur J Contracept Reprod Health Care Source Type: journals

Development of a Patient-Reported Outcome Measure for Children With Streptococcal PharyngitisEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
CONCLUSIONS: The scale seems to measure effectively both pain and overall functional status in children with GAS pharyngitis. These data support the use of Strep-PRO as a measure of outcome in future clinical trials. (Source: PEDIATRICS)
Source: PEDIATRICS - September 27, 2009 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Shaikh, N., Martin, J. M., Casey, J. R., Pichichero, M. E., Wald, E. R., Colborn, D. K., Gerber, M. A., Kearney, D. H., Balentine, T. L., Haralam, M. A., Hoberman, A. Tags: Infectious Disease & Immunity ARTICLES Source Type: journals

Molecular typing identifies virulence in childbed feverEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Childbed fever – once a leading cause of death and disability in women – continues as a rare but potentially devastating infection. In an effort to better understand why, researchers from Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Utah Health Sciences Center and LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City, have looked at specific proteins in the causative bacteria (Group A streptococcus)—called M-protein type antigens—as a source of virulence. Their findings are published in the current issue of the Journal of Reproductive Immunology . "We needed to make some initial attempts to understand why this is...
Source: Baylor College of Medicine News - September 23, 2009 Category: Universities & Medical Training Source Type: news

Molecular Pathogenesis of Necrotizing Fasciitis.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Necrotizing fasciitis, also known as the flesh-eating disease, is a severe invasive infection associated with very high rates of human morbidity and mortality. It is most commonly caused by group A Streptococcus (GAS), a versatile human pathogen that causes diseases ranging in severity from uncomplicated pharyngitis (or strep throat) to life-threatening infections such as necrotizing fasciitis. Herein, we review recent discoveries bearing on the molecular pathogenesis of GAS necrotizing fasciitis. Importantly, the integration of new technologies and the development of human-relevant animal models have markedly expanded...
Source: Annual Review of Pathology - September 7, 2009 Category: Pathology Authors: Olsen RJ, Musser JM Tags: Annu Rev Pathol Source Type: journals

Contribution of AmyA, an extracellular α-glucan degrading enzyme, to group A streptococcal host–pathogen interactionEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
[alpha]-Glucans such as starch and glycogen are abundant in the human oropharynx, the main site of group A Streptococcus (GAS) infection. However, the role in pathogenesis of GAS extracellular [alpha]-glucan binding and degrading enzymes is unknown. The serotype M1 GAS genome encodes two extracellular proteins putatively involved in [alpha]-glucan binding and degradation; pulA encodes a cell wall anchored pullulanase and amyA encodes a freely secreted putative cyclomaltodextrin [alpha]-glucanotransferase. Genetic inactivation of amyA, but not pulA, abolished GAS [alpha]-glucan degradation. The [Delta]amyA strain had a slow...
Source: Molecular Microbiology - September 3, 2009 Category: Microbiology Authors: Samuel A. Shelburne III, David B. Keith, Michael T. Davenport, Stephen B. Beres, Ronan K. Carroll, James M. Musser Source Type: journals

A decade of molecular pathogenomic analysis of group A StreptococcusEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Molecular pathogenomic analysis of the human bacterial pathogen group A Streptococcus has been conducted for a decade. Much has been learned as a consequence of the confluence of low-cost DNA sequencing, microarray technology, high-throughput proteomics, and enhanced bioinformatics. These technical advances, coupled with the availability of unique bacterial strain collections, have facilitated a systems biology investigative strategy designed to enhance and accelerate our understanding of disease processes. Here, we provide examples of the progress made by exploiting an integrated genome-wide research platform to gain new ...
Source: Journal of Clinical Investigation - September 2, 2009 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: James M. Musser, Samuel A. Shelburne Source Type: journals

Clinical aspects of invasive infections with Streptococcus dysgalactiae ssp. equisimilis in Japan: differences with respect to Streptococcus pyogenes and Streptococcus agalactiae infectionsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Clin Microbiol Infect Streptococcus dysgalactiae ssp. equisimilis (SDSE) is increasingly being identified as a pathogen responsible for invasive and non-invasive infections. We compared the clinical features of invasive SDSE infections with those of invasive infections caused by Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus (GAS)) and Streptococcus agalactiae (group B streptococcus (GBS)). Active surveillance for invasive SDSE, GAS and GBS was maintained over 1 year at 142 medical institutions throughout Japan. Clinical information was collected together with isolates, which were characterized microbiologically. Two hundre...
Source: Clinical Microbiology and Infection - September 1, 2009 Category: Microbiology Authors: T. Takahashi, K. Sunaoshi, K. Sunakawa, S. Fujishima, H. Watanabe, K. Ubukata Source Type: journals

Inhibition of Dendritic Cell Maturation by Group A StreptococcusEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions. These results demonstrate that GAS virulence factors modulate maturation and survival of human DC, effects that are likely to have a critical impact on activation of innate and adaptive immune responses to this important human pathogen. (Source: The Journal of Infectious Diseases Latest Issue)
Source: The Journal of Infectious Diseases Latest Issue - August 27, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Tags: article MAJOR ARTICLE Source Type: journals

Inhibition of group A streptococcal infection by Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil concentrate in the murine modelEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: These results suggest that MAC may inhibit GAS-induced skin damage and mouse death by directly inhibiting GAS growth and enhancing the bactericidal activity of macrophages.Significance and Impact of the Study: Our results provide scientific data on the use of MAC for the treatment of GAS-induced necrotizing fasciitis in the murine model. (Source: Journal of Applied Microbiology)
Source: Journal of Applied Microbiology - July 19, 2009 Category: Microbiology Authors: N. Tsao, C.-F. Kuo, H.-Y. Lei, S.-L. Lu, K.-J. Huang Source Type: journals

Nosocomial Transmission of Invasive Group A Streptococcus from Patient to Health Care WorkerEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions. Nosocomial transmission of GAS from a patient to a health care worker who developed streptococcal toxic shock syndrome may have occurred after the index patient had received 48 h of antibiotic therapy and despite placement in contact isolation. Isolation guidelines for patients with severe GAS infection may need to be reviewed. (Source: Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue)
Source: Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue - July 6, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Tags: article MAJOR ARTICLE Source Type: journals

What Is Strep Throat? What Is Sore Throat?Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Strep throat is a sore throat caused by bacteria known as Streptococcus pyogenes, or group A streptococcus. Sore throat is a term for any situation where the throat feels scratchy, tender, and possibly painful. Strep throat is a type of sore throat. Sore throat may be caused by bacteria or viruses, while strep throat is only caused by bacteria. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - June 25, 2009 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Flu / Cold / SARS Source Type: news

Stand-Alone Response Regulators Controlling Global Virulence Networks in Streptococcus pyogenes.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Global regulation of virulence gene expression via transcriptional regulators plays a central role in the ability of the bacterial pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes (the group A Streptococcus, GAS) to rapidly adapt during infection. The 'stand-alone' regulators Mga, RofA-like proteins (RALPs), and RopB/Rgg control important and diverse virulence regulons in response to growth-related signals and other environmental conditions in GAS. Stand-alone regulated genes encode factors important for colonization of tissues, immune evasion, persistence, dissemination, metabolism, and the response to stressors. Although conserved 'c...
Source: Contributions to Microbiology - June 13, 2009 Category: Microbiology Authors: McIver KS Tags: Contrib Microbiol Source Type: journals

[Protein Structure and Folding] Defining the Structural Basis of Human Plasminogen Binding by Streptococcal Surface EnolaseEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This study demonstrates the ability of combining in silico structural modeling with ion mobility-MS validation for undertaking functional studies on complex protein structures. (Source: Journal of Biological Chemistry)
Source: Journal of Biological Chemistry - June 11, 2009 Category: Chemistry Authors: Cork, A. J., Jergic, S., Hammerschmidt, S., Kobe, B., Pancholi, V., Benesch, J. L. P., Robinson, C. V., Dixon, N. E., Aquilina, J. A., Walker, M. J. Tags: Protein Structure and Folding Source Type: journals

Postpartum Invasive Group A Streptococcal Disease in the Modern EraEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
To describe the clinical features of individuals hospitalized for postpartum invasive group A Streptococcus (GAS) infection, a retrospective, population-based study of hospitalized patients in the state of Florida was conducted. Cases of postpartum invasive GAS infection (occurring within 42 days of delivery) were compared to women with other manifestations of invasive GAS disease with respect to their age at the time of admission. Four cases of postpartum invasive GAS infection were detected in this population, yielding a prevalence of 1.6% (4/257) of postpartum disease in this invasive GAS infection database. Patients pr...
Source: Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and Gynecology - June 9, 2009 Category: OBGYN Source Type: journals

Provider Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices regarding Obstetric and Postsurgical Gynecologic Infections Due to Group A Streptococcus and Other Infectious AgentsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions. Postpartum and postsurgical infections are common. Providing empiric treatment without attaining diagnostic cultures represents a missed opportunity for potential prevention of diseases such as severe GAS infections. (Source: Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and Gynecology)
Source: Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and Gynecology - June 9, 2009 Category: OBGYN Source Type: journals

Distribution of emm types among group A streptococcal isolates from SerbiaEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Clin Microbiol Infect This is the first study concerning the molecular epidemiology of group A streptococcus in Serbia and includes 145 isolates from patients with various infections during the period 2001[ndash]2007. The emm types, superantigen profile and susceptibility pattern were determined. Among 31 emm types identified, the most prevalent were emm6, emm12, emm1, and emm58. All isolates showed uniform antimicrobial susceptibility to all tested antibiotics, with the exception of tetracycline and erythromycin (41% and 0.7% resistant strains, respectively). Significant heterogeneity of emm types was found, with a high f...
Source: Clinical Microbiology and Infection - June 9, 2009 Category: Microbiology Authors: V. Mijač, L. Ranin, M. Marković, C. Heeg, R. R. Reinert, N. Opavski Source Type: journals

A prolonged course of Group A streptococcus-associated nephritis: a mild case of dense deposit disease (DDD)?Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
We herein report the case of a 12-year-old boy with dense deposit disease (DDD) evoked by streptococcal infection. He had been diagnosed to have asymptomatic hematuria syndrome at the age of 6 during school screening. At 12 years of age, he was found to have macrohematuria and overt proteinuria with hypocomplementemia 2 months after streptococcal pharyngitis. Renal biopsy showed endocapillary proliferative glomerulonephritis with double contours of the glomerular basement membrane. Hypocomplementemia and proteinuria were sustained for over 8 weeks. He was suspected to have dense deposit disease due to intramembranous d...
Source: Clinical Nephrology - May 31, 2009 Category: Urology & Nephrology Authors: Sawanobori E, Umino A, Kanai H, Matsushita K, Iwasa S, Kitamura H, Oda T, Yoshizawa N, Sugita K, Higashida K Tags: Clin Nephrol Source Type: journals

[errata] Correction for Shelburne et al., A direct link between carbohydrate utilization and virulence in the major human pathogen group A StreptococcusEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
(Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences)
Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - May 26, 2009 Category: Science Tags: errata Source Type: journals

Linkage of T3 and Cpa pilins in the Streptococcus pyogenes M3 pilusEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The important human pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus, GAS) initiates infection by pilus-mediated attachment to host tissue. Thus, the pilus is an excellent target for design of anti-infective strategies. The T3 pilus of GAS is composed of multiple covalently linked subunits of the T3 protein to which the two minor pilins, Cpa and OrfB, are covalently attached. Because the proteins of GAS pili do not contain either of the motifs required for pilus polymerization in other Gram-positive bacteria, we investigated the residues involved in their linkage. We show that linkage of Cpa to T3 by the sortase fami...
Source: Molecular Microbiology - May 16, 2009 Category: Microbiology Authors: Bernard R. Quigley, Dorothea Zähner, Matthew Hatkoff, David G. Thanassi, June R. Scott Source Type: journals

[Glycobiology and Extracellular Matrices] Serum Opacity Factor Is a Streptococcal Receptor for the Extracellular Matrix Protein Fibulin-1Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The adhesion of bacteria to host tissues is often mediated by interactions with extracellular matrices. Herein, we report on the interactions of the group A streptococcus, Streptococcus pyogenes, with the extracellular matrix protein fibulin-1. S. pyogenes bound purified fibulin-1 in a dose-dependent manner. Genetic ablation of serum opacity factor (SOF), a virulence determinant of S. pyogenes, reduced binding by ~50%, and a recombinant peptide of SOF inhibited binding of fibulin-1 to streptococci by ~45%. Fibulin-1 bound to purified SOF2 in a dose-dependent manner with high affinity (Kd = 1.6 nm). The fibulin-1-binding do...
Source: Journal of Biological Chemistry - May 1, 2009 Category: Chemistry Authors: Courtney, H. S., Li, Y., Twal, W. O., Argraves, W. S. Tags: Glycobiology and Extracellular Matrices Source Type: journals

Antibiotic Selection for Purulent Skin and Soft-Tissue Infections in Ambulatory Care: A Decision-Analytic ApproachEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Objective: Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) has caused a nationwide epidemic of skin and soft-tissue infections in ambulatory pediatrics. Antibiotic treatment recommendations suggest incorporating local epidemiology for the prevalence of CA-MRSA. We sought to identify the antibiotic strategy with the highest probability of activity and to identify threshold values for epidemiologic variables including bacterial prevalence and antibiotic resistance.Methods: We used decision analysis to evaluate 3 empiric antibiotic strategies: clindamycin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (T/S), and ce...
Source: Academic Pediatrics - May 1, 2009 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Adam L. Hersh, Peggy S. Weintrub, Michael D. Cabana Tags: Primary Care Source Type: journals

AHA: Compounds Inhibit Virulence of Group A StrepEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Small molecules can reduce the virulence of group A streptococcus and possibly reduce selection for antibiotic resistance, according to a study presented at the American Heart Association's Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology Annual Conference. (Source: Geriatrics Magazine)
Source: Geriatrics Magazine - April 30, 2009 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: journals

M-protein and other intrinsic virulence factors of Streptococcus pyogenes are encoded on an ancient pathogenicity islandEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: Thus, this non-phagic SSR is compatible with a pathogenicity island, acquired before S. pyogenes speciation. Its potential excision might bear relevance for vaccine development, because vaccines targeting M-protein might select for M-protein-negative variants that still carry other virulence determinants. (Source: BioMed Central)
Source: BioMed Central - April 27, 2009 Category: Journals (General) Authors: Alexandre Panchaud, Lionel Guy, Francois Collyn, Marisa Haenni, Masanobu Nakata, Andreas Podbielski, Philippe Moreillon and Claude-Alain H. Roten Source Type: journals

Lemierre?s syndrome resulting from streptococcal induced otitis media and mastoiditis: a case reportEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: Since Lemierre?s syndrome is classically detected by clinical diagnosis, these findings should prompt clinicians to consider Group A Streptococcus as an alternative catalyst. It should be pondered that patients who present with typical Group A streptococcal infections have the possibility for developing Lemierre?s syndrome. Though this complication appears to be rare, early diagnosis and prompt intervention have proven critical in survival outcome. Indeed, what would seem to be a routine case of strep throat or otitis media easily treated with antibiotics could end up being an unalterable progression to death u...
Source: Journal of Medical Case Reports - April 26, 2009 Category: Journals (General) Source Type: journals

Puerperal group A Streptococcus infectionEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract Group A Streptococci infection during antenatal period as well as postnally can be very serious and would require intense management—both surgical and medical. Many authors believe the incidence is rising. High index of clinical suspicion is necessary in order to early intervention. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Case ReportDOI 10.1007/s00404-009-1078-0Authors Kanapathippillai Sivanesan, North Manchester General Hospital Delaunays Road Manchester M8 5RB UKManika Singh, Royal Lancaster Infirmary Ashton road Lancaster LA1 4RP UKDavid Burch, Royal Lancaster Infirmary Ashton road Lancaster LA...
Source: Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics - April 23, 2009 Category: OBGYN Tags: Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics Source Type: journals

[Review] Gram-positive toxic shock syndromesEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is an acute, multi-system, toxin-mediated illness, often resulting in multi-organ failure. It represents the most fulminant expression of a spectrum of diseases caused by toxin-producing strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus). The importance of Gram-positive organisms as pathogens is increasing, and TSS is likely to be underdiagnosed in patients with staphylococcal or group A streptococcal infection who present with shock. TSS results from the ability of bacterial toxins to act as superantigens, stimulating immune-cell expansion and rampant cytokine ex...
Source: The Lancet Infectious Diseases - April 22, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Emma Lappin, Andrew J Ferguson Tags: Review Source Type: journals

Acute rheumatic fever and its consequences: A persistent threat to developing nations in the 21st century.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is an autoimmune, multi-system response secondary to molecular mimicry following Lancefield group A streptococcus (GAS) pharyngitis; it is now most commonly found in the pediatric populations of developing nations. The major source of morbidity and mortality of ARF stems from rheumatic heart disease (RHD), although the cardinal symptoms of the disease also include polyarthritis, Sydenham's chorea, subcutaneous nodules, and erythema marginatum. Therapy is aimed towards treating the initial GAS infection, using anti-inflammatory medications for acute symptoms and surgery to correct RHD. Second...
Source: Autoimmunity Reviews - April 18, 2009 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Lee JL, Naguwa SM, Cheema GS, Gershwin ME Tags: Autoimmun Rev Source Type: journals

Bacteriophage content of M49 strains of Streptococcus pyogenesEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Bacteriophages are common autonomous migrating mobile genetic elements in group A Streptococcus (GAS) and are often associated with the carriage of various virulence genes, including toxins, mitogens and enzymes. Two collections of GAS type M49 strains isolated from invasive (22 strains) and noninvasive (16 strains) clinical cases have been studied for the presence of phage and phage-associated virulence genes. All the GAS strains carried from at least two to six phage genomes as determined by the number of known phage integrase genes found. A sampling of the invasive M49 strains showed that they belonged to the same multi...
Source: FEMS Microbiology Letters - March 16, 2009 Category: Microbiology Authors: Alexander N. Suvorov, Ekaterina M. Polyakova, W. Michael McShan, Joseph J. Ferretti Source Type: journals

Skin and soft tissue infections in returning travelers.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) are a leading cause of cutaneous problems in travelers. Sixty travelers who presented with an SSTI were prospectively included over a 20-month period. Bacterial analysis and research for Panton-Valentine leukocidine (PVL) were performed according to clinical and bacterial presentation. The SSTI appeared abroad in 73% and were predominantly localized on lower limbs (75%). The main clinical forms were impetigo (35%) and cutaneous absess (23%). Insect bites were significantly associated with impetigo and ecthyma. Methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) was identified in ...
Source: The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene - March 1, 2009 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Hochedez P, Canestri A, Lecso M, Valin N, Bricaire F, Caumes E Tags: Am J Trop Med Hyg Source Type: journals

Positive correlation between low adhesion of group A Streptococcus to mammalian cells and virulence in a mouse modelEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
We previously reported that a mouse model reflected, at least in part, the pathogenic mechanism of bacteremia observed during streptococcal toxic shock syndrome caused by group A Streptococcus (GAS). We have extended this study by assaying the in vitro adhesion of these same isolates to mammalian cells. Unexpectedly, we found that high-virulence GAS isolates in the mouse model showed low adhesion to the host cells. Similarly, the rate of recovery from the peritoneal cavity and cardiac blood of mice after intraperitonial injection was higher for high- than for low-virulence strains. Levels of expression of molecules that af...
Source: FEMS Microbiology Letters - February 13, 2009 Category: Microbiology Authors: Tohru Miyoshi-Akiyama, Jizi Zhao, Takehiko Uchiyama, Junji Yagi, Teruo Kirikae Source Type: journals

Regulation of streptokinase expression by CovR/S in Streptococcus pyogenes: CovR acts through a single high-affinity binding site.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The important human pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes (the group A streptococcus or GAS) produces many virulence factors that are regulated by the two-component signal transduction system CovRS (CsrRS). Dissemination of GAS infection originating at the skin has been shown to require production of streptokinase, whose transcription is repressed by CovR. In this work we have studied the interaction of CovR and phosphorylated CovR (CovR-P) with the promoter for streptokinase, Pska. We found that, in contrast to the other CovR-repressed promoters, Pska regulation by CovR occurs through binding at a single ATTARA consensus bi...
Source: Microbiology - February 1, 2009 Category: Microbiology Authors: Churchward G, Bates C, Gusa AA, Stringer V, Scott JR Tags: Microbiology Source Type: journals

Remission of minimal change disease in Type 2 diabetes after streptococcus bacteremia.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This report extends the spectrum of infections associated with remission of minimal change disease (MCD). PMID: 19203511 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Clinical Nephrology)
Source: Clinical Nephrology - February 1, 2009 Category: Urology & Nephrology Authors: Enriquez R, Sirvent AE, Padilla S, Andrada E, Amorós F, Fernandez-Lozano JA, Gutiérrez F Tags: Clin Nephrol Source Type: journals

Similar Ability of FbaA with M Protein to Elicit Protective Immunity Against Group A Streptococcus Challenge in Mice.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Group A streptococcus (GAS), an important human pathogen, can cause various kinds of infections including superficial infections and potentially lethal infections, and the search for an effective vaccine to prevent GAS infections has been ongoing for many years. This paper compares the immunogenicity and immunoprotection of FbaA (an Fn-binding protein expressed on the surface of GAS) with that of M protein, the best immunogen of GAS. Assay for immune response showed that FbaA, similar to M protein, could induce protein-specific high IgG titer in BALB/c mice. Furthermore, following GAS challenge, the mice immunized with...
Source: Cellular and Molecular Immunology - February 1, 2009 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Ma CQ, Li CH, Wang XR, Zeng RH, Yin XL, Feng HD, Wei L Tags: Cell Mol Immunol Source Type: journals

Molecular epidemiological investigation of an outbreak of invasive β-haemolytic streptococcal infection in western NorwayEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
During a decade-long, high endemic situation with severe group A streptococcal disease in western Norway, a cluster of 16 patients with invasive streptococcal disease was hospitalized during a period of 11 weeks. A study including clinical characteristics and molecular epidemiology of the outbreak was initiated. Relevant clinical information was obtained from the medical records of the patients. Nine of the 16 patients had soft tissue infection, and seven of these had streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS). Mortality, both overall and among those with STSS, was 25%. Streptococcal isolates from these patients were charac...
Source: Clinical Microbiology and Infection - January 29, 2009 Category: Microbiology Authors: H. Mylvaganam, T. Bruun, H. A. Vindenes, N. Langeland, S. Skrede Source Type: journals

Performance of a Rapid Antigen-Detection Test and Throat Culture in Community Pediatric Offices: Implications for Management of PharyngitisEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
CONCLUSIONS. The sensitivity of the office culture was significantly greater than the sensitivity of the rapid antigen-detection test, but neither test was highly sensitive. The sensitivities of each diagnostic modality and the recommended combined approach were best among patients with greater pretest likelihood of group A streptococcus pharyngitis. (Source: PEDIATRICS)
Source: PEDIATRICS - January 26, 2009 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tanz, R. R., Gerber, M. A., Kabat, W., Rippe, J., Seshadri, R., Shulman, S. T. Tags: Infectious Disease & Immunity ARTICLES Source Type: journals

Group a streptococcus causing necrotizing fasciitis and toxic shock syndrome after medical termination of pregnancy.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
CONCLUSION:: This case demonstrates the need for prompt recognition and treatment of necrotizing fasciitis/toxic shock syndrome. PMID: 19155935 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Obstetrics and Gynecology)
Source: Obstetrics and Gynecology - January 23, 2009 Category: OBGYN Authors: Daif JL, Levie M, Chudnoff S, Kaiser B, Shahabi S Tags: Obstet Gynecol Source Type: journals

Postpartum Invasive Group A Streptococcal Disease in the Modern EraEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
To describe the clinical features of individuals hospitalized for postpartum invasive group A Streptococcus (GAS) infection, a retrospective, population-based study of hospitalized patients in the state of Florida was conducted. Cases of postpartum invasive GAS infection (occurring within 42 days of delivery) were compared to women with other manifestations of invasive GAS disease with respect to their age at the time of admission. Four cases of postpartum invasive GAS infection were detected in this population, yielding a prevalence of 1.6% (4/257) of postpartum disease in this invasive GAS infection database. Patients pr...
Source: Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and Gynecology - January 3, 2009 Category: OBGYN Source Type: journals

[Mechanisms Of Signal Transduction] Streptolysin O Promotes Group A Streptococcus Immune Evasion by Accelerated Macrophage ApoptosisEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is a leading human bacterial pathogen capable of producing invasive infections even in previously healthy individuals. As frontline components of host innate defense, macrophages play a key role in control and clearance of GAS infections. We find GAS induces rapid, dose-dependent apoptosis of primary and cultured macrophages and neutrophils. The cell death pathway involves apoptotic caspases, is partly dependent on caspase-1, and requires GAS internalization by the phagocyte. Analysis of GAS virulence factor mutants, heterologous expression, and purified toxin studies identified the pore-forming...
Source: Journal of Biological Chemistry - January 2, 2009 Category: Chemistry Authors: Timmer, A. M., Timmer, J. C., Pence, M. A., Hsu, L.-C., Ghochani, M., Frey, T. G., Karin, M., Salvesen, G. S., Nizet, V. Tags: Mechanisms Of Signal Transduction Source Type: journals

Biofilm formation by group A Streptococcus: a role for the streptococcal regulator of virulence (Srv) and streptococcal cysteine protease (SpeB).Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
In this study, we sought to learn more about the make-up of these structures and gain insight into biofilm regulation. Enzymic studies indicated that biofilm formation by GAS strain MGAS5005 required an extracellular protein and DNA component(s). Previous results indicated that inactivation of the transcriptional regulator Srv in MGAS5005 resulted in a significant decrease in virulence. Here, inactivation of Srv also resulted in a significant decrease in biofilm formation under both static and flow conditions. Given that production of the extracellular cysteine protease SpeB is increased in the srv mutant, we tested the hy...
Source: Microbiology - January 1, 2009 Category: Microbiology Authors: Doern CD, Roberts AL, Hong W, Nelson J, Lukomski S, Swords WE, Reid SD Tags: Microbiology Source Type: journals

Group A Streptococcus meningitis: Microbiological evidence clinches the issue.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
PMID: 19136813 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Indian Journal of Pathology and Microbiology)
Source: Indian Journal of Pathology and Microbiology - January 1, 2009 Category: Pathology Authors: Thakur R, Sarma S, Bala K Tags: Indian J Pathol Microbiol Source Type: journals