EMM types of streptococcus pyogenes in Chennai.

The M protein of group A Streptococcus (GAS) is the major virulence factor and is coded by the emm gene. The current serologic M typing methods are now being replaced by alternate means of M type deduction such as emm gene sequencing. This is the first report of emm types of GAS which are prevalent in south India. We found no marked preponderance of any single emm sequence among our clinical isolates with 11 emm sequences being present in 34 isolates.