Association of the prtF1 Gene (Encoding Fibronectin-Binding Protein F1) and the sic Gene (Encoding the Streptococcal Inhibitor of Complement) with emm Types of Group A Streptococci Isolated from Japanese Children with Pharyngitis

A total of 66 clinical isolates of group A streptococci (GAS) were obtained from 66 Japanese children with pharyngitis. The prtF1 gene (encoding fibronectin-binding protein F1) and the sic gene (encoding the streptococcal inhibitor of complement) were present in 51 (77.3%) and 48 (72.7%) of the 66 isolates, respectively. These results indicated that a high prevalence of two virulence genes, prtF1 and sic, is characteristic of GAS in Japan.