Distribution and antigenicity of fibronectin binding proteins (SfbI and SfbII) of Streptococcus pyogenes clinical isolates from the Northern Territory, Australia

Fibronectin binding proteins play an important role in the adherence and in vasion of group A streptococci (GAS). Genotypically distinct GAS isolates w ere screened for the presence and expression of two streptococcal fibronect in binding protein genes, sfbI and sfbII. Of the tested strains, 64 and 36% were shown to harbor and express the sfbI and sfbII genes, respectively. A ll sfbII-positive strains tested were also positive for sfbI, but only 28% of the sfbII-negative strains were positive for sfbI. High levels of immuno globulin G antibodies to both SfbI and SfbII were found in sera from 80 sub jects with defined streptococcal infections.