I thought this important for everyone to read

[sf_mom]

There are more than a hundred varieties of group A Streptococcus, each of which is distinguished by the type of ‘M’ protein it has. Musser’s group sequenced a type called M18. Last year, Vincent A. Fischetti, of The Rockefeller University in New York, and colleagues sequenced an M1 strain, also known as Streptococcus pyogenes.

 

Musser says his team has now isolated and purified most of the surface proteins that are likely to mediate interactions between the bacteria and host. Surface proteins can be recognized by DNA patterns in their genes and are potential vaccine targets.

 

Two M18 proteins in particular caught the attention of the researchers. They look like another M18 protein, called SPE C, which triggers a massive immune reaction in host cells and leads to streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. Schlievert’s laboratory investigates SPE C and is now studying the newly identified proteins. These types of protein are called superantigens.

 

“Superantigens are interesting molecules because they allow the bacterium to survive in the host for an extended period of time,” says Schlievert. His laboratory, in collaboration with Musser’s, will knock out the proteins in M18 strains and test the virulence of modified strains in rabbits or mice to see whether something relevant can be learned about the mechanism of strep infection in the heart.

 

The researchers also constructed DNA microarrays containing genes from both the M18 strain and the M1 strain. The arrays were used to compare the genomes of 36 M18 strains. The samples included isolates taken from patients at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center during World War II and the Lowry Air Force Base in Colorado in 1968. Rheumatic fever outbreaks tend to occur in environments where there is crowding, such as military barracks, schools, and large households, where bacteria and other infectious agents spread easily.

 

 

For entire article: http://www.genomenewsnetwork.org/articles/...c_bacterium.php

 

This goes back to MY THEORY that we are dealing with a strain of Streptococcus that is difficult to eradicate!

[matis_mom]

There are more than a hundred varieties of group A Streptococcus, each of which is distinguished by the type of ‘M’ protein it has. Musser’s group sequenced a type called M18. Last year, Vincent A. Fischetti, of The Rockefeller University in New York, and colleagues sequenced an M1 strain, also known as Streptococcus pyogenes.

 

Musser says his team has now isolated and purified most of the surface proteins that are likely to mediate interactions between the bacteria and host. Surface proteins can be recognized by DNA patterns in their genes and are potential vaccine targets.

 

Two M18 proteins in particular caught the attention of the researchers. They look like another M18 protein, called SPE C, which triggers a massive immune reaction in host cells and leads to streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. Schlievert’s laboratory investigates SPE C and is now studying the newly identified proteins. These types of protein are called superantigens.

 

“Superantigens are interesting molecules because they allow the bacterium to survive in the host for an extended period of time,” says Schlievert. His laboratory, in collaboration with Musser’s, will knock out the proteins in M18 strains and test the virulence of modified strains in rabbits or mice to see whether something relevant can be learned about the mechanism of strep infection in the heart.

 

The researchers also constructed DNA microarrays containing genes from both the M18 strain and the M1 strain. The arrays were used to compare the genomes of 36 M18 strains. The samples included isolates taken from patients at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center during World War II and the Lowry Air Force Base in Colorado in 1968. Rheumatic fever outbreaks tend to occur in environments where there is crowding, such as military barracks, schools, and large households, where bacteria and other infectious agents spread easily.

 

 

For entire article: http://www.genomenewsnetwork.org/articles/...c_bacterium.php

 

This goes back to MY THEORY that we are dealing with a strain of Streptococcus that is difficult to eradicate!

I tried to follow the link but did not work... I am interested in reading this article as my PANDAS ds is showing signs of RF.

Thanks!

 

Isabel

[sf_mom]

Should work now.

 

http://www.genomenewsnetwork.org/articles/...c_bacterium.php

[matis_mom]

Should work now.

 

http://www.genomenewsnetwork.org/articles/...c_bacterium.php

Got it, thanks... very interesting article.

 

Isabel

[sf_mom]

I think the most interesting part is when it talks about the HOST's immune system being wiped out and that its a difficult bacteria to eradicate! Hmmmmmmm, sound familiar?

[dcmom]

I can buy this. But if what are kids have is a superantigen, what is the answer? High dose abx?

[sf_mom]

My perspective..... to do exactly what the are doing IVIG or PEX and add several months of a higher dose of antibiotics until they are symptomless and then lower dose.

[EAMom]

My perspective..... to do exactly what the are doing IVIG or PEX and add several months of a higher dose of antibiotics until they are symptomless and then lower dose.

 

Yup...

 

or even more than several months (a year or more) of high dose antibiotics?

 

Interestingly, wasn't Saving Sammy on high dose Augmentin for a year? and then a lower dose for a while?

 

It would also be really important to eradicate strep in the family...so the kids don't get re-exposed.

[sf_mom]

Exactly my point.... its WORKING, the higher dose is working. I saw it in article somewhere for RF they use a high dose for 5 YEARS and then lower amount to prophylatic until they are 20 to 25. I'll try and find it again in the morning.

 

 

 

My perspective..... to do exactly what the are doing IVIG or PEX and add several months of a higher dose of antibiotics until they are symptomless and then lower dose.

 

Yup...

 

or even more than several months (a year or more) of high dose antibiotics?

 

Interestingly, wasn't Saving Sammy on high dose Augmentin for a year? and then a lower dose for a while?

 

It would also be really important to eradicate strep in the family...so the kids don't get re-exposed.

[dcmom]

Well, I am all in on this. DD just had pex and is doing great. I find I am in a complete panic, though. What would be a high dose antibiotic for her (36lbs). She is on 200mg zithromax/day right now. Would there be any rationale to change to augmentin? That is what Sammy did. I feel like, hopefully, we got rid of her bad antibodies.... possibly she has some type of strep that is still lurking, it is key we supress it until it is gone!

 

Help on antibiotics please....

[sf_mom]

I would definitely double the dose for 14 days and see what happens. Honestly, we saw all his TICS disappear within two days each time we doubled up..... He has been on the higher dose for over a month and just lowered to 375 m.g. and he is holding steady.

 

I consulted with Dr. K and he was fine with us doing this dosage. I also PM'd you.

 

-Wendy