STREPTOCOCCUS PYOGENES CELLS, HEAT-INACTIVATED

Heat-killed Streptococcus pyogenes cells in dextran solution. Antigen is intended for use as a positive control in immunoassay development for Streptococcus detection.

PRODUCT DETAILS – STREPTOCOCCUS PYOGENES CELLS, HEAT-INACTIVATED

• Heat-killed Streptococcus pyogenes cells, genus specific in dextran solution.
• Part of the BacTrace® range of antigens and antibodies.
• This product is ideally suited for use as a positive control in immunoassays designed for the detection of Streptococcus. It provides verification of the functionality of the assay system.
• Product is considered non-hazardous as defined by The Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200).

BACKGROUND

Streptococcus pyogenes (group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus; GAS) is a Gram-positive, catalase-negative cocci which can be carried asymptomatically. Streptococcus pyogenes is a bacterium which can colonise the throat, skin and anogenital tract and can cause both noninvasive and invasive disease, as well as nonsuppurative sequelae. It causes a diverse range of skin, soft tissue and respiratory tract infections including some life-threatening infections e.g. scarlet fever, bacteremia, pneumonia, necrotizing fasciitis, myonecrosis and Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome (StrepTSS). Each year, the bacterium affects 700 million people globally, leading to 160,000 deaths. Streptococcal disease is ordinarily spread by direct person-to-person contact. In cases of pharyngitis and respiratory infections, droplet nuclei of saliva or nasal secretions are the mode of spread. Crowding such as occurs in schools or military barracks favors interpersonal spread of the organism in community outbreaks. Fomites can also be a source of streptococcal transmission (Chowdhury et al., 2021).

S. pyogenes is a gram-positive, β-hemolytic streptococcus that is catalase negative. More than 150 different strains have been identified based on different M-protein types. It is a group A streptococcus based on its carbohydrate structure, according to Lancefield typing of β-hemolytic strains. Mucoid strains are rich in hyaluronic acid capsule, and numerous extracellular toxins are produced by most strains, which include streptolysin O, a cholesterol-specific cytolysin, streptolysin S, a cell-associated hemolysin, fibrinogen-binding proteins, streptokinase, numerous pyrogenic exotoxins that act as superantigens, and a cysteine-protease called pyrogenic exotoxin B.

REFERENCES

• Chowdhury S, Khakzad H, Bergdahl GE, Lood R, Ekstrom S, Linke D, Malmström L, Happonen L, Malmström J. Streptococcus pyogenes Forms Serotype- and Local Environment-Dependent Interspecies Protein Complexes. mSystems. 2021 Sep 28:e0027121. doi: 10.1128/mSystems.00271-21. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 34581598.