Pathology

A 10-year-old boy with a 2-week history of an upper respiratory infection was admitted to the hospital with malaise, fever, joint swelling, and diffuse rash. The patient is treated and discharged. However, the patient suffers from recurrent pharyngitis and, a few years later, develops a heart murmur. This patient's heart murmur is most likely caused by exposure to which of the following pathogens?