Strain Prevalence, Rather than Innate Virulence Potential, Is the Major Factor Responsible for an Increase in Serious Group A Streptococcus Infections

Abstract

These data suggest that the emergence of GAS strains with increased virulence is not the main factor responsible for the surge in GAS-related infections. The prevalence of particular emm types, RAPD profiles, or superantigen genes in invasive disease may simply indicate widespread transmission of these strains in the population, rather than a particular ability to cause disease.