A cross sectional study was done and samples were collected from children attending Pediatric Teaching Hospital and (ENT) hospital Wad medani, Sudan with symptoms of Pharyngitis, ages from 5 to17 years from January to November 2021. Exclusion criteria included Children with respiratory tract symptoms such as rhinorrhea or nasal congestion and prior antibiotic therapy in less than 7 days.
Throat swabs were inoculated on 5% sheep blood agar plates and incubated in 5-10% CO2 at 37oC for 24 h. Identification of GAS isolates was done based on beta-hemolytic activity on sheep blood agar, small colony characteristics, Gram stain positive cocci (Streptococci), catalase production negative, 0.04-U bacitracin disc susceptible and PYR test were positive.
Antimicrobial sensitivity testing was done using the standard disk diffusion method on Mueller Hinton agar supplemented with 5% sheep blood, incubated overnight in 5-10% CO2 at 37oC. The commercial antibiotic discs were used to determine the susceptibility of isolates to penicillin (10U), Azithromycin (15μg), Clarithromycin (15μg), Erythromycin (15μg), Amoxicillin (10mcg), Gentamicin (10mcg), and Cephalexin (30mcg).
Author(s) Details:
Minas Mohamed Balla
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, University of Gezira, Wad Medani, Sudan.
Adil Mergani
Department of Molecular and Immunogenetics, NCI, University of Gezira, Wad Medani, Sudan.
Mohamed Elamin A. M. E. Medani
Pediatric Cardiologist Faculty of Medicine, University of Gezira, Wad Medani, Sudan.
Adam Dawoud Abakar
Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, University of Gezira, Wad
Medani, Sudan.
Ameer Mohamed Dafalla
Department of Molecular and Immunogenetics, NCI, University of Gezira, Wad Medani, Sudan.
Recent Global Research Developments in Group A Streptococcus Infections in Children
Vaccine Development:
Researchers have made progress in understanding GAS pathogenesis and transmission, which has enhanced GAS vaccine design [1] . Although no GAS vaccines have been approved for the market yet, there are ongoing preclinical and clinical studies worldwide to identify potential vaccine candidates.
These vaccines aim to induce potent adaptive immunity and protection against GAS infections, which can cause serious diseases like rheumatic fever and necrotizing fasciitis.
Increased Incidence:
There has been an unexpected increase in invasive GAS infections in children since late 2022 [2] . These infections can lead to critical illness and fatalities.
The rise in cases involves various presentations, including pleural empyema, and has occurred simultaneously with a respiratory virus outbreak [3] .
Collaborative Efforts:
Researchers and organizations are working together to develop safe, effective, and affordable GAS vaccines. These collaborative efforts facilitate connectivity among researchers and analyze the value of GAS vaccine candidates [4] .
References
- Fan J, Toth I, Stephenson RJ. Recent Scientific Advancements towards a Vaccine against Group A Streptococcus. Vaccines. 2024; 12(3):272. https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines12030272
- Massese, M., La Sorda, M., De Maio, F., Gatto, A., Rosato, R., Pansini, V., … & Posteraro, B. (2024). Epidemiology of group A streptococcal infection: are we ready for a new scenario?. The Lancet Microbe.
- Yannis Lassoued, Zein Assad, Naim Ouldali, Marion Caseris, Patricia Mariani, Andre Birgy, Stephane Bonacorsi, Philippe Bidet, Albert Faye, Unexpected Increase in Invasive Group A Streptococcal Infections in Children After Respiratory Viruses Outbreak in France: A 15-Year Time-Series Analysis, Open Forum Infectious Diseases, Volume 10, Issue 5, May 2023, ofad188, https://doi.org/10.1093/ofid/ofad188
- Ajay Castro, Sowmya, and Helge C. Dorfmueller. “Update on the development of Group A Streptococcus vaccines.” npj Vaccines 8, no. 1 (2023): 135.
