Cloning and characterization of new emm allele of Streprococcus pyogenes strains isolated in kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

In the present study, 39 isolates of erythromycin-resistant group A Streptococcus (GAS) isolated in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 2003 to 2004 were characterized by using phenotypic and genotypic methods. Most strains (94.9%) had similar or highly related pulsed-field gel electrophoresis profiles to different nine emm types previously documented. In which, type emm1 was the most prevalent M type in KSA representing 20.5% of total isolates, followed by emm3 (15.4%) typing. Two new emm sequence types were identified among GAS strains designated SA15 and SA37. The type SA15 carried two resistant mefA and ermTR genes accounted for 6.3% (1/16) and 50.0% (1/2), respectively. Entire fragment of SA15 was sequenced and expressed in expression vector to be used as a tool for vaccine preparation in this area. This report provides information on new emm sequence types firstly detected in KSA GAS isolates as a vaccine candidate antigen in this geographic area which not extensively surveyed, also it contributes to a better understanding of the local and global dynamics of GAS populations and the epidemiological aspects of GAS infections occurring in KSA. © 2006 Asian Network for Scientific Information.