Sequence Variation in Group A<i>Streptococcus</i>Pili and Association of Pilus Backbone Types with Lancefield T Serotypes

Abstract

We propose the use of a tee gene sequence typing, analogous to the emm gene typing, as a valuable molecular tool that could substitute for the serological T classification of GAS strains. From our sequence analysis and from recent epidemiological data, we estimate that a vaccine comprising a combination of 12 backbone variants would protect against > 90% of currently circulating strains.