M proteins of group G streptococci isolated from bacteremic human infections

Abstract

We studied seven strains of group G streptococci isolated from clinically severe bacteremic infections in six intravenous drug abusers. These group G strains multiplied luxuriantly in fresh human blood. On electron microscopy, they exhibited surface fibrillae similar to those observed in M-protein-rich group A streptococci, but they were not serologically M typable with a battery of 39 M antisera. Rabbit antisera raised against two of the group G strains (1618 and 1750) opsonized the homologous but not the heterologous isolates and exhibited type-specific Ouchterlony immunoprecipitin reactions. Moreover, antisera raised against peptic extracts of strain 1750 also promoted phagocytic killing of that strain. Anti-1750 reacted in high titer in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay against peptic extracts of the homologous strain; these antibodies were removed by absorption with 1750 cells but not by absorption with heterologous strains. These studies represent, to our knowledge, the first analysis of virulence factors of group G streptococci isolated from invasive human disease. The seven epidemiologically related blood isolates of group G streptococci possess distinct type-specific, antiphagocytic surface virulence factors analogous to the M proteins of group A streptococci.