Here are six facts:
1. The bacteria may also provide clues for detecting strep and fighting outbreaks.
2. Researchers initially believed an individual’s immune system dictated whether they would readily recover from strep or get an invasive infection. However, new research found genetic changes can spur the germ to produce more of two key toxins, making the virus much more harmful.
3. Researchers mapped the genes of approximately 5,000 samples from group A strep infections over several decades. They found some small genetic changes that enable two strains to begin producing higher than normal levels of two toxins that damage human cells and help the germ survive longer in the immune system.
4. The findings indicate the strains can do more damage if they get deeper into the body. Additionally, strep spreads more readily because it lingers longer in the throat.
5. Researchers aim to develop a vaccine for group A strep that targets those toxins as well as develop molecular tests that would quickly diagnose if someone has a dangerous strain.
6. The research is parting of a growing initiative to better understand why a variety of germs behave more aggressively in some people than others.
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