M-type 28 (M28) Streptococcus pyogenes (group A Streptococcus [GAS]) strains are highly associated with life-threatening puerperal infections. Genome sequencing has revealed a large mobile genetic element, RD2, present in most M28 GAS isolates but not found widely in other serotypes. Previous studies have linked RD2 to the ability of M28 GAS to colonize the vaginal tract. A new study by Roshika and colleagues (R. Roshika, I. Jain, J. Medicielo, J. Wächter, J. L. Danger, P. Sumby, Infect Immun 89:e00722-20, 2021, https://doi.org/10.1128/IAI.00722-20) used gain-of-function mutants in three different GAS serotypes to help determine why RD2 appears to have a serotype preference and what that could mean for GAS mucosal colonization and pathogenesis.
Keywords: RD2; Streptococcus pyogenes; puerperal sepsis.