Wastewater Surveillance for Group A <i>Streptococcus pyogenes</i> in a Small City
<i>Streptococcus pyogenes</i> is a bacterial pathogen known to be the causative agent in many different illnesses, with Group A Streptococcus (GAS) pharyngitis (strep throat), being one of the more prevalent. The spread and severity of GAS pharyngitis can grow exponentially if individual...
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MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Pathogens |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/14/7/658 |
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| author | Olivia N. Birch Frankie M. Garza Justin C. Greaves |
| author_facet | Olivia N. Birch Frankie M. Garza Justin C. Greaves |
| author_sort | Olivia N. Birch |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <i>Streptococcus pyogenes</i> is a bacterial pathogen known to be the causative agent in many different illnesses, with Group A Streptococcus (GAS) pharyngitis (strep throat), being one of the more prevalent. The spread and severity of GAS pharyngitis can grow exponentially if individuals are not taking the proper precautions. Wastewater surveillance has been used to test for numerous different pathogens that humans spread throughout a community and in this study, we utilized wastewater surveillance to monitor GAS pharyngitis in a small city. Over a year, 57 wastewater influent samples were tested for <i>S. pyogenes</i> and three commonly tested respiratory viruses (Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A). Three microbial indicators and population normalizers (CrAssphage, Pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV), and Mycobacterium) were tested as well to compare and contrast each indicator’s value and range over time. Wastewater data was then compared to publicly available search term data as clinical data was not readily available. There was a high correlation between the collected molecular data and the publicly available search term data for <i>Streptococcus pyogenes</i>. Additionally, this study provided more information about the seasonal trend of <i>S. pyogenes</i> throughout the year through molecular data and allowed for the ability to track peak infection months in this small city. Overall, these results highlight the substantial benefits of using wastewater surveillance for the monitoring of GAS pharyngitis. This study also provides helpful insights into future studies about the prevalence of respiratory bacteria and their seasonal trends in wastewater, allowing for public health systems to provide mitigation strategies. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0e5947f05af045e1adb2d42729449fee |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-0817 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Pathogens |
| spelling | doaj-art-0e5947f05af045e1adb2d42729449fee2025-08-20T03:56:46ZengMDPI AGPathogens2076-08172025-07-0114765810.3390/pathogens14070658Wastewater Surveillance for Group A <i>Streptococcus pyogenes</i> in a Small CityOlivia N. Birch0Frankie M. Garza1Justin C. Greaves2Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Indiana University-Bloomington, 2719 E 10th Street, Innovation Center, Bloomington, IN 47408, USADepartment of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Indiana University-Bloomington, 2719 E 10th Street, Innovation Center, Bloomington, IN 47408, USADepartment of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Indiana University-Bloomington, 2719 E 10th Street, Innovation Center, Bloomington, IN 47408, USA<i>Streptococcus pyogenes</i> is a bacterial pathogen known to be the causative agent in many different illnesses, with Group A Streptococcus (GAS) pharyngitis (strep throat), being one of the more prevalent. The spread and severity of GAS pharyngitis can grow exponentially if individuals are not taking the proper precautions. Wastewater surveillance has been used to test for numerous different pathogens that humans spread throughout a community and in this study, we utilized wastewater surveillance to monitor GAS pharyngitis in a small city. Over a year, 57 wastewater influent samples were tested for <i>S. pyogenes</i> and three commonly tested respiratory viruses (Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A). Three microbial indicators and population normalizers (CrAssphage, Pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV), and Mycobacterium) were tested as well to compare and contrast each indicator’s value and range over time. Wastewater data was then compared to publicly available search term data as clinical data was not readily available. There was a high correlation between the collected molecular data and the publicly available search term data for <i>Streptococcus pyogenes</i>. Additionally, this study provided more information about the seasonal trend of <i>S. pyogenes</i> throughout the year through molecular data and allowed for the ability to track peak infection months in this small city. Overall, these results highlight the substantial benefits of using wastewater surveillance for the monitoring of GAS pharyngitis. This study also provides helpful insights into future studies about the prevalence of respiratory bacteria and their seasonal trends in wastewater, allowing for public health systems to provide mitigation strategies.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/14/7/658wastewater-based epidemiologyGAS pharyngitis (strep-throat)viral respiratory pathogensfiltration<i>Streptococcus pyogenes</i> |
| spellingShingle | Olivia N. Birch Frankie M. Garza Justin C. Greaves Wastewater Surveillance for Group A <i>Streptococcus pyogenes</i> in a Small City Pathogens wastewater-based epidemiology GAS pharyngitis (strep-throat) viral respiratory pathogens filtration <i>Streptococcus pyogenes</i> |
| title | Wastewater Surveillance for Group A <i>Streptococcus pyogenes</i> in a Small City |
| title_full | Wastewater Surveillance for Group A <i>Streptococcus pyogenes</i> in a Small City |
| title_fullStr | Wastewater Surveillance for Group A <i>Streptococcus pyogenes</i> in a Small City |
| title_full_unstemmed | Wastewater Surveillance for Group A <i>Streptococcus pyogenes</i> in a Small City |
| title_short | Wastewater Surveillance for Group A <i>Streptococcus pyogenes</i> in a Small City |
| title_sort | wastewater surveillance for group a i streptococcus pyogenes i in a small city |
| topic | wastewater-based epidemiology GAS pharyngitis (strep-throat) viral respiratory pathogens filtration <i>Streptococcus pyogenes</i> |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/14/7/658 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT olivianbirch wastewatersurveillanceforgroupaistreptococcuspyogenesiinasmallcity AT frankiemgarza wastewatersurveillanceforgroupaistreptococcuspyogenesiinasmallcity AT justincgreaves wastewatersurveillanceforgroupaistreptococcuspyogenesiinasmallcity |