Scribd
Upload
44 views13 pages

Streptococcal Infection

Streptococci are gram-positive bacteria that cause many infections like pharyngitis, pneumonia, and skin infections. They are classified based on their appearance in culture and cell wall carbohydrates. Virulence factors like toxins contribute to tissue damage and spread. The most significant streptococcal pathogen is Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococci), which causes pharyngitis and skin infections. Diagnosis involves culture, rapid antigen tests, or antibody titers. Treatment is usually with penicillins or other antibiotics like macrolides for those allergic to penicillin.

Uploaded by

OROKE JOHN EJE
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
44 views13 pages

Streptococcal Infection

Streptococci are gram-positive bacteria that cause many infections like pharyngitis, pneumonia, and skin infections. They are classified based on their appearance in culture and cell wall carbohydrates. Virulence factors like toxins contribute to tissue damage and spread. The most significant streptococcal pathogen is Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococci), which causes pharyngitis and skin infections. Diagnosis involves culture, rapid antigen tests, or antibody titers. Treatment is usually with penicillins or other antibiotics like macrolides for those allergic to penicillin.

Uploaded by

OROKE JOHN EJE
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 13

Streptococcal infection

introduction
• Streptococci are gram-positive aerobic
organisms that cause many disorders,
including pharyngitis, pneumonia, wound and
skin infections, sepsis, and endocarditis.
streptococcus
strep
classification
• Three different types of streptococci are initially
differentiated by their appearance when they are
grown in culture on sheep blood agar:
• Beta-hemolytic streptococci produce zones of
clear hemolysis around each colony.
• Alpha-hemolytic streptococci (commonly called
viridans streptococci) are surrounded by green
discoloration resulting from incomplete hemolysis.
• Gamma-hemolytic streptococci are nonhemolytic
• Subsequent classification, based on
carbohydrates in the cell wall, divides
streptococci into 20 Lancefield groups A
through H and K through V.
• Viridans streptococci form a separate group
that is difficult to classify eg streptococcus
pneumonia
Virulence factors/pathogenesis
•  streptococci elaborate virulence factors, including
streptolysins, DNAases, and hyaluronidase, which
contribute to tissue destruction and spread of
infection.
• Some strains release exotoxins that activate certain
T cells, triggering release of cytokines, including
tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukins, and other
immunomodulators. These cytokines activate the
complement, coagulation, and fibrinolytic systems,
leading to shock, organ failure, and death
Diseases Caused by Streptococci

•  most significant streptococcal pathogen is S. pyogenes,


which is beta-hemolytic and in Lancefield group A and is thus
denoted as group A beta-hemolytic streptococci (GABHS).
•  most common acute diseases due to GABHS 
pharyngitis
lymphadenitis
• Skin infections: Impetigo,Erysipelas,cellulitis, Necrotizing
fasciitis due to S. pyogenes is a severe dermal (and
sometimes muscle) infection that spreads along fascial
planes
• local suppurative complications, such as peritonsillar
abscess, otitis media, sinusitis, and bacteremia.
•  delayed, nonsuppurative complications (rheumatic fever, acute
glomerulonephritis) sometimes occur ≥ 2 weeks after infection.
• PANDAS syndrome (pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric
disorder associated with streptococcal infections) refers to a
subset of obsessive disorders in children or tic disorders in
children that is thought to be exacerbated by GABHS infection.
• Certain forms of psoriasis (eg, guttate) may also be related to
beta-hemolytic streptococcal infections
• Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome(TSS),
similar to that caused by S. aureus, may result
from toxin-producing strains of GABHS and
occasionally from other streptococci
diagnosis
• Culture
• Sometimes rapid antigen tests or antibody titers.
Streptococci are readily identified by culture on a
sheep blood agar plate.
Rapid antigen-detection tests that can detect
GABHS directly from throat swabs are available
Many tests use enzyme immunoassay, but more
recently, tests using optical immunoassay have
become available.
• antistreptococcal antibodies in serum during
convalescence provides only indirect evidence
of infection so not used in diagnosis as this
rises weeks after GABHS. Antibodies are most
useful in diagnosis of poststreptococcal
diseases, such as rheumatic fever and
glomerulonephritis.
treatment
• Usually with penicillins or amoxicillin
• For penicillin allergic ,macrolides are used
• rifampicin

You might also like