Daily Clinical Laboratory News – Cutting-Edge Techniques to Study Immune Responses to Deadly Group A Streptococcus Infections – Immunology

Cutting-edge technology to study immune response to deadly Group A Streptococcus infection

Written by the LabMedica editorial team (Spanish)
Updated on March 21, 2024

Every year, half a million people worldwide die from serious infections caused by group A Streptococcus (Strep A), including many children and young adults. Group A Streptococcus is highly contagious and spreads primarily from person to person through the respiratory tract due to sore throats. Group A Streptococcus commonly causes sore throats and skin infections in young children. In rare cases, if the bacteria invade the blood or tissues, it can cause more serious conditions, such as sepsis and toxic shock. Although adults are generally immune to group A strep throat and skin infections, both adults and children are highly susceptible to invasive infections. A particularly worrisome consequence of repeated infections with group A Streptococcus is autoimmune damage to the heart valves, called rheumatic heart disease (RCD). CKD affects approximately 50 million people worldwide, mainly in low- and middle-income countries. Currently, there is no vaccine against group A Streptococcus. The development of immunity against group A Streptococcus over time, including the identification of specific bacterial antigens critical to the immune system or future vaccines, remains poorly understood. Furthermore, the distinction between harmful excessive immune responses to group A streptococci leading to ECR and ideal protective immunity has not been clearly defined.

To address this global health challenge, international scientists have collaborated to establish a comprehensive network to investigate the bacterial cause of sepsis and heart damage caused by group A Streptococcus. iSpy (Immune to Streptococcus pyogenes) network, led by Imperial College London. London, UK) and the University of California, San Diego (La Jolla, CA, USA) bring together 28 researchers from 11 countries. This diverse group of experts in the fields of immunology, infectious disease, epidemiology, vaccinology and experimental medicine will participate in a five-year project. The goal is to use a wide range of advanced technologies to study in depth immunity to Group A Streptococcus in unprecedented detail and ultimately make a significant contribution to reducing the global impact of Group A Streptococcus.

Image: Streptococcus pyogenes in a petri dish (Photo courtesy of Imperial College London)

The iSpy-LIFE subnetwork aims to discover how effectively immunity to group A Streptococcus develops over time in children following natural infection. This study involving young children, school-age students and adults could provide insight into true immunity to Group A Streptococcus and guide the development of vaccines that mimic and accelerate this immunity in children. Additionally, the iSpy-EXPLORE subnetwork was designed to explore the nature of protective immune responses in experimental models exposed to promising group A Streptococcus vaccine candidates. It will also assess human immune responses in healthy volunteers experimentally exposed to group A streptococcal infection. Prepare to improve understanding of beneficial and harmful immunity to group A Streptococcus, paving the way for future vaccines to prevent strep throat, invasive infections, and CRD.

“The RCD patients we care for in low- and middle-income countries often have advanced disease and comorbidities such as heart failure,” said iSpy team member Professor Liesl Zuhlke, a pediatric cardiologist at the University of Cape Town. “Many require cardiac surgery or Percutaneous interventions are often not available, resulting in high mortality and morbidity and significant out-of-pocket costs for families and communities. “We urgently need information on the link between various forms of group A streptococcal disease. transformations and how we can intervene to prevent these manifestations. “

Related Links:
Imperial College London
University of California, San Diego