Vaccine Development for Prevention of Streptococcus pyogenes (GAS) Infection

Abstract

Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is a specific bacterial pathogen that can cause a wide variety of human diseases. Classification of GAS is made by identifying M protein type corresponding to standard serum and future by DNA sequencing of emm gene (gene encoding M protein). Until now, numerous researchers have attempted to develop an effective vaccine against group A streptococcal infections and their immunologically mediated sequels (acute rheumatic fever and post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis) have been challenging. The two major problems are the ability of the highly protective cell-surface M proteins to elicit immunity potentially harmful to the host and the existence of a large number of distinct serotypes of M proteins or non-M type proteins. This article discusses current studies that was aimed to develop an effective group A streptococcal vaccine.