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Abstract

Genomic Surveillance of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Streptococcus pyogenes in the Czech Republic in the Post-COVID-19 Era †

by
Sandra Vohrnová
1,2,*,
Renáta Veselá
1 and
Jana Kozáková
1
1
National Reference Laboratory for Streptococcal Infections, National Institute of Public Health, 100 00 Prague, Czech Republic
2
Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 100 00 Prague, Czech Republic
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
†
Presented at the 22nd Lancefield International Symposium on Streptococci and Streptococcal Diseases, Brisbane, Australia, 1–5 June 2025.
Proceedings 2025, 124(1), 20; https://doi.org/10.3390/proceedings2025124020
Published: 18 August 2025
(This article belongs to the Proceedings of The 22nd Lancefield International Symposium on Streptococci and Streptococcal Diseases (LISSSD 2025))
Versions Notes

Aim: The aim of this study is to assess the impact of COVID-19 on the incidence and molecular epidemiology of invasive infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae (IPD) and Streptococcus pyogenes (iGAS) in the Czech Republic (CR). Methods: Epidemiological data on IPD and iGAS from 2018 to 2024 were analyzed. WGS was conducted on selected isolates at the National Reference Laboratory for Streptococcal Infections (NRL/STR) to investigate the prevailing GPSC, MLST in S.pneumoniae strains of serotypes 3, 10A, and 11A, and the presence of the M1UK sublineage among S.pyogenes strains. Results: A 47% decrease in IPD morbidity was observed between 2018–2019 and 2020–2021, followed by a 133% increase between 2020–2021 and 2023–2024. In comparison to 2018–2019, IPD morbidity in 2023–2024 increased by 24%. Post-pandemic data revealed an increase in certain S. pneumoniae serotypes compared to the pre-pandemic period; serotypes 3, 4, 14, and 19F increased in prevalence despite being included in the 10-valent and 13-valent vaccines. A comparison of WGS data from isolates collected during the pre-pandemic, pandemic, and post-pandemic periods revealed no changes in the trends of occurring GPSCs or STs associated with serotypes 3, 10A and 11A. Relative to the 2018–2019 period, the iGAS morbidity in 2023–2024 increased by 348%. The emm1 type became predominant emm type, comprising 38% of all S. pyogenes isolates analyzed in the NRL/STR in 2023 (162/429). For comparison, in 2018 the emm1 type accounted for 13% (7/55) and in 2019 for 18% (11/60). WGS identified the M1UK sublineage in 31 out of the 36 emm1 isolates tested from 2022 to 2023. Conclusions: The post-pandemic period has seen a resurgence of IPD, but without a change in circulating GPSCs and STs, and the emergence of S. pyogenes emm1, particularly the M1UK sublineage.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, S.V. and R.V.; methodology, S.V. and R.V.; software, S.V. and R.V.; validation, J.K.; formal analysis, S.V. and R.V.; investigation, S.V. and R.V.; resources, J.K.; data curation, S.V.; writing—original draft preparation, S.V.; writing—review and editing, R.V. and J.K.; visualization, S.V. and R.V.; supervision, J.K.; project administration, J.K.; funding acquisition, J.K. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This research was co-funded by [the European Union] grant number [101113387–HERA2CZ] And the APC was funded by [National Institute of Public Health].

Institutional Review Board Statement

Not applicable.

Informed Consent Statement

Not applicable.

Data Availability Statement

The raw data supporting the conclusions of this article will be made available by the authors on request.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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MDPI and ACS Style

Vohrnová, S.; Veselá, R.; Kozáková, J. Genomic Surveillance of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Streptococcus pyogenes in the Czech Republic in the Post-COVID-19 Era. Proceedings 2025, 124, 20. https://doi.org/10.3390/proceedings2025124020

AMA Style

Vohrnová S, Veselá R, Kozáková J. Genomic Surveillance of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Streptococcus pyogenes in the Czech Republic in the Post-COVID-19 Era. Proceedings. 2025; 124(1):20. https://doi.org/10.3390/proceedings2025124020

Chicago/Turabian Style

Vohrnová, Sandra, Renáta Veselá, and Jana Kozáková. 2025. "Genomic Surveillance of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Streptococcus pyogenes in the Czech Republic in the Post-COVID-19 Era" Proceedings 124, no. 1: 20. https://doi.org/10.3390/proceedings2025124020

APA Style

Vohrnová, S., Veselá, R., & Kozáková, J. (2025). Genomic Surveillance of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Streptococcus pyogenes in the Czech Republic in the Post-COVID-19 Era. Proceedings, 124(1), 20. https://doi.org/10.3390/proceedings2025124020

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