Outbreak of Glomerulonephritis by Streptococcus zooepidemicus SzPHV5 type, in Monte Santo de Minas, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Abstract

Streptococcus zooepidemicus is an emerging and opportunistic zoonotic pathogen, which playsan important role in the development of severe and life-threatening diseases and potentially capable of triggering large glomerulonephritis outbreaks. Between December 2012 and February 2013, 175 cases of glomerulonephritis were confirmed in the town of Monte Santo de Minas / MG / Brazil. During the outbreak, 19 isolates of S. zooepidemicus were recovered: one from ice cream, two from the oropharynx of food handlers and 16 from patients affected by acute post streptococcal glomerulonephritis (APSGN). All S. zooepidemicus involved in the outbreak amplified the same sequence of the hypervariable region of the SzP protein (SzPHV5) and presented indistinguishable banding patterns with high similarity (> 99%) by rep-PCR technique. Inspection programs on the milk supply chain should be strengthened and continuously encouraged so that consumers health is preserved.