Scientists identify a mechanism of epidemic bacterial disease

(Houston Methodist) Through identification of increased toxin production by epidemic forms of group A streptococcus (the 'flesh-eating' bacterium), for the first time scientists are able to pinpoint the molecular events that contribute to large intercontinental epidemics of disease. The study was based on sequencing almost 5,000 group A streptococcus genomes collected over decades.
Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases - Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: news