Molecular epidemiology of group A streptococcus from pharyngeal isolates in Auckland, New Zealand, 2013.

Abstract

AIMS: To describe the molecular epidemiology of emm types associated with circulating pharyngeal group A streptococcus (GAS) isolates in Auckland, New Zealand. METHODS: GAS isolates were collected over a 10-day period from a community pathology provider in Auckland. PCR analysis and sequencing of the emm gene was performed at the Institute of Environmental Science and Research. RESULTS: A total of 52 emm types were identified from 278 GAS isolates. The three most common emm types were emm1, emm89 and emm12. Overall, the experimental 30-valent GAS M protein vaccine covered 19 / 52 (37%) of emm types in our study. DISCUSSION: Our study provides baseline data on the circulating pharyngeal GAS e..