Sechenov Medical Academy, City Center of State Sanitary and Epidemiological Surveillance, Moscow, Russia
Pulse electrophoresis of group A streptococci (GAS) isolated in 1998 — 2004 in Moscow from patients during outbreaks of tonsillitis in child institutions, military unit and also from sporadic cases in children and adults was performed. During analysis of 48 strains 16 pulse electrotypes were recognized. These data allow to consider that in different child institutions (and other groups) accumulation and spreading of most adapted to such environment variants of GAS are take place and population structure of GAS in such institutions is unique on molecular and other characteristics. This study showed that complex typing of GAS (use of pulse electrophoresis and PCR for detection of erythrogenic toxins A and C) will help to improve molecular-epidemiologic surveillance for streptococcal group A infection, development of recommendations on reduction of morbidity from this infection and also to decrease risk of its severe forms, complications and mortality.
Zh. Mikrobiol. (Moscow), 2006, No. 7, P. 33—37