Streptococcus pyogenes genome sequencing

Streptococcus pyogenes (a.k.a. Group A Streptococcus, GAS) is a genetically diverse human pathogen (having > 150 serotypes/M types) that commonly causes superficial infections of the throat (pharyngitis/strep-throat) and skin (impetigo). Less commonly GAS also causes fulminant invasive infections, such as necrotizing fasciitis (flesh-eating disease) and necrotizing pneumonia, that have high attendant morbidity and mortality. Serotype M89 strains are a prevalent cause of GAS pharyngeal and invasive infections. The whole genome sequence of strain MGAS11027, a pharyngeal infection isolate, was undertaken to gain insight in the genetic basis of GAS serotype M89 pathogenesis.化脓性链球菌（Streptococcus pyogenes，又称A群链球菌（Group A Streptococcus，GAS））是一类遗传多样性丰富的人类致病菌，拥有超过150种血清型/M蛋白型。该菌通常引发咽喉（咽炎/链球菌性咽喉炎）和皮肤（脓疱疮）的浅表感染；少数情况下，A群链球菌（GAS）还会引发暴发性侵袭性感染，如坏死性筋膜炎（食肉菌病）与坏死性肺炎，此类感染往往伴随极高的发病率与死亡率。M89血清型菌株是引发A群链球菌（GAS）咽喉感染与侵袭性感染的常见病原体。为深入解析A群链球菌（GAS）M89血清型致病的遗传基础，研究人员对咽喉感染分离株MGAS11027菌株开展了全基因组测序工作。