Complete Genome Sequence and Comparative Genomics of a Streptococcus pyogenes emm3 Strain M3-b isolated from a Japanese Patient with Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome.

Epidemiologic typing of Streptococcus pyogenes (GAS) is frequently based on the genotype of the emm gene, which encodes M/Emm protein. In this study, the complete genome sequence of GAS emm3 strain M3-b, isolated from a patient with streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS), was determined. This strain exhibited 99% identity with other complete genome sequences of emm3 strains MGAS315, SSI-1, and STAB902. The complete genomes of five additional strains isolated from Japanese patients with and without STSS were also sequences. Maximum-likelihood phylogenetic analysis showed that strains M3-b, M3-e, and SSI-1, all which were isolated from STSS patients, were relatively close.