Serotype, biotype, pyrogenic exotoxin, streptolysin O and exoenzyme patterns of invasive Streptococcus pyogenes isolates from patients with toxin shock syndrome, bacteremia and other severe infections.

Abstract

The recent increase of severe invasive group A streptococcal (GAS) infections including streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) appears to be related to a combination of both bacterial and host factors1, 2, 3, 4. The bacterial effectors which are believed to be causally involved are certain serotypes of M protein and various extracellular toxins and enzymes such as streptococcal pyrogenic (erythrogenic) exotoxins A and C (SPE A, SPE C), streptolysin O (SLO), and cysteine proteinase which has been shown to be identical to SPE B. The titration of streptokinase (SK) and hyaluronidase (HA) in culture supernatants was also determined.