Open AccessSurvey of the plasmid content of group A streptococci
Author(s) -
Simpson Warren J.,
Tagg John R.
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.1984.tb01062.x
Subject(s) - plasmid , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , strain (injury) , restriction enzyme , bacteriocin , group a , dna , genetics , medicine , anatomy , antimicrobial
Examination of 70 M‐prototype group A streptococci showed small plasmids (2.0–2.5 MDa) to be present in strains representative of M‐types 28, 57, 61, 63, 64 and 69. Identical results were obtained from M r and restriction endonuclease analyses of a 2.2‐MDa plasmid (pDN691) found in the M‐type 69 strain and similar plasmids in the M57 prototype and two other independently isolated M‐type 57 strains. In all four strains the presence of plasmid correlated with the production of bacteriocin‐like inhibitory activity identifiable as P type 614. Similar analysis revealed a possible relationship between a 2.5‐MDa plasmid in the prototype M61 and M64 strains and the production of P‐type 216 inhibitory activity. A survey of 56 group A streptococci recovered in association with either rheumatic fever or nephritis failed to demonstrate plasmid DNA with the exception of 2.2‐MDa plasmids in four nephritis‐associated M‐type 57 isolates.