Molecular characterization of group A Streptococcus isolates recovered from Limpopo, South Africa

Matete Olga Kgasha; Glory Tintswalo Mhlari; Xongani Victoria Khosa; John Yenga Bolukaoto; Ruth Lekalakala-Mokaba; Maria Sonto Maputle; Maphoshane Nchabeleng; Marie Cecillia le-Roux

doi:10.5455/JMID.2025.v15.i4.7

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J Microbiol Infect Dis. 2025; 15(4): 183-201

doi: 10.5455/JMID.2025.v15.i4.7

Molecular characterization of group A Streptococcus isolates recovered from Limpopo, South Africa

Matete Olga Kgasha, Glory Tintswalo Mhlari, Xongani Victoria Khosa, John Yenga Bolukaoto, Ruth Lekalakala-mokaba, Maria Sonto Maputle, Maphoshane Nchabeleng, Marie Cecillia Le-roux.

Abstract
Background:
Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is a human pathogen that causes several nonsuppurative complications, such as acute rheumatic fever, leading to rheumatic heart disease (RHD).

Aim:
To determine the prevalence of GAS isolates, M-protein genotypes, antimicrobial susceptibility profiles, and superantigen characteristics in Limpopo Province, South Africa.

Methods:
GAS isolates were obtained from throat swabs (n = 466) of patients with pharyngitis at selected hospitals in Limpopo Province. Clinical GAS isolates (n = 122) were also collected from the NHLS-Polokwane Provincial laboratory. The susceptibility profiles of penicillin, erythromycin, and clindamycin were determined. The M-protein (emm) typing and superantigen (SAg) gene profiles of the isolates were determined. The emm types were correlated with those found in the 30-valent vaccine.

Results:
The prevalence of GAS isolates in throat swabs was 7.1% (33/466). Of the 155 isolates, 45 (29%) were invasive, 108 (70%) were noninvasive, and 2 (1%) were unknown. All isolates exhibited 100% susceptibility to penicillin; however, 15% erythromycin and 16% clindamycin resistance were observed. Thirty-five emm types were identified, with emm77 (21%) being the most prevalent, followed by emm92 (14%). The potential vaccine coverage was 61%. Twenty-seven SAg profiles were identified, of which 22.6% belonged to profile K, comprising 5 emm types, of which only 2 (emm11, emm77) were vaccine types.

Conclusion:
A high diversity of emm types was found, with emm77 and emm92 being the most prevalent. The estimated direct vaccine coverage was 61%, with a theoretical coverage of 76%. The causes of RHD clinical progression need further investigation, particularly regarding genetic factors such as human leukocyte antigen variation.

Key words: Emm type; GAS; M-proteins; Superantigen; Vaccine type.

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How to Cite this Article

Pubmed Style

Kgasha MO, Mhlari GT, Khosa XV, Bolukaoto JY, Lekalakala-mokaba R, Maputle MS, Nchabeleng M, Le-roux MC. Molecular characterization of group A Streptococcus isolates recovered from Limpopo, South Africa. J Microbiol Infect Dis. 2025; 15(4): 183-201. doi:10.5455/JMID.2025.v15.i4.7

Web Style

Kgasha MO, Mhlari GT, Khosa XV, Bolukaoto JY, Lekalakala-mokaba R, Maputle MS, Nchabeleng M, Le-roux MC. Molecular characterization of group A Streptococcus isolates recovered from Limpopo, South Africa. https://www.jmidonline.org/?mno=278377 [Access: December 17, 2025]. doi:10.5455/JMID.2025.v15.i4.7

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Kgasha MO, Mhlari GT, Khosa XV, Bolukaoto JY, Lekalakala-mokaba R, Maputle MS, Nchabeleng M, Le-roux MC. Molecular characterization of group A Streptococcus isolates recovered from Limpopo, South Africa. J Microbiol Infect Dis. 2025; 15(4): 183-201. doi:10.5455/JMID.2025.v15.i4.7

Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Kgasha MO, Mhlari GT, Khosa XV, Bolukaoto JY, Lekalakala-mokaba R, Maputle MS, Nchabeleng M, Le-roux MC. Molecular characterization of group A Streptococcus isolates recovered from Limpopo, South Africa. J Microbiol Infect Dis. (2025), [cited December 17, 2025]; 15(4): 183-201. doi:10.5455/JMID.2025.v15.i4.7

Harvard Style

Kgasha, M. O., Mhlari, . G. T., Khosa, . X. V., Bolukaoto, . J. Y., Lekalakala-mokaba, . R., Maputle, . M. S., Nchabeleng, . M. & Le-roux, . M. C. (2025) Molecular characterization of group A Streptococcus isolates recovered from Limpopo, South Africa. J Microbiol Infect Dis, 15 (4), 183-201. doi:10.5455/JMID.2025.v15.i4.7

Turabian Style

Kgasha, Matete Olga, Glory Tintswalo Mhlari, Xongani Victoria Khosa, John Yenga Bolukaoto, Ruth Lekalakala-mokaba, Maria Sonto Maputle, Maphoshane Nchabeleng, and Marie Cecillia Le-roux. 2025. Molecular characterization of group A Streptococcus isolates recovered from Limpopo, South Africa. Journal of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, 15 (4), 183-201. doi:10.5455/JMID.2025.v15.i4.7

Chicago Style

Kgasha, Matete Olga, Glory Tintswalo Mhlari, Xongani Victoria Khosa, John Yenga Bolukaoto, Ruth Lekalakala-mokaba, Maria Sonto Maputle, Maphoshane Nchabeleng, and Marie Cecillia Le-roux. "Molecular characterization of group A Streptococcus isolates recovered from Limpopo, South Africa." Journal of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases 15 (2025), 183-201. doi:10.5455/JMID.2025.v15.i4.7

MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Kgasha, Matete Olga, Glory Tintswalo Mhlari, Xongani Victoria Khosa, John Yenga Bolukaoto, Ruth Lekalakala-mokaba, Maria Sonto Maputle, Maphoshane Nchabeleng, and Marie Cecillia Le-roux. "Molecular characterization of group A Streptococcus isolates recovered from Limpopo, South Africa." Journal of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases 15.4 (2025), 183-201. Print. doi:10.5455/JMID.2025.v15.i4.7

APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Kgasha, M. O., Mhlari, . G. T., Khosa, . X. V., Bolukaoto, . J. Y., Lekalakala-mokaba, . R., Maputle, . M. S., Nchabeleng, . M. & Le-roux, . M. C. (2025) Molecular characterization of group A Streptococcus isolates recovered from Limpopo, South Africa. Journal of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, 15 (4), 183-201. doi:10.5455/JMID.2025.v15.i4.7

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