Researchers identified Streptococcus pyogenes isolates from a lineage dubbed M1UK that are predicted to produce higher-than-usual levels of a scarlet fever-associated toxin.
Despite the diversity detected in Group A Streptococcus strains from more than 20 countries, investigators narrowed in on broadly shared sequences with relatively low variation.
The test can detect resistance to two of the most commonly prescribed antibiotics used to treat strep throat, and could potentially be adapted for point-of-care use.
Researchers used genomic, transcriptomic, and virulence data on thousands of Streptococcus pyogenes strains to identify features influencing infections.
