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PubMed1989

Description of an epizootic and persistence of Streptococcus equi infections in horses.

The age-specific attack rates of Streptococcus equi infections of the upper respiratory tract and lymph nodes (strangles) in horses for the different age groups were 17.6% for broodmares, 47.5% for 1-year-old horses, and 37.5% for foals. Streptococcus equi was isolated from nasal, pharyngeal, or lymph node specimens in 31 (60.8%) of 51 sick horses. A male 1-year-old horse, shipped from Kentucky to farm A, was considered to be the index case. Six (19.4%) of 31 horses with strangles remained as shedders of S equi after clinical signs of the disease had ended. Shedders of S equi were not identified from horses that were exposed to infected horses but never developed strangles.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Invasive group B streptococcal disease in adults. A population-based study in metropolitan Atlanta.

OBJECTIVE: To define the incidence and clinical spectrum of group B streptococcus infection in adults. To characterize groups at increased risk for infection. DESIGN: Retrospective population-based surveillance of group B streptococcus infections occurring in adults. Patients were identified by review of microbiology records at all surveillance area hospital laboratories. Demographic and clinical data were abstracted from patient medical records. SETTING: Metropolitan Atlanta, Ga, 1982 through 1983. PATIENTS: We identified 70 adult patients with invasive group B streptococcus infections; 14 infections occurred in pregnant women and 56 in nonpregnant adults. RESULTS: The annual incidence of group B streptococcus infection in men and nonpregnant women was 2.4 cases per 100,000 population. Incidence increased with age and was higher in blacks than in whites. The case-fatality rate was 32%. Group B streptococcus was most often isolated from blood (71%) and soft tissue (16%). Common clinical presentations included skin and soft-tissue infection (36%), bacteremia without focus (34%), pneumonia (11%), arthritis (9%), and endocarditis (9%). Compared with the general population's risk of infection, the risk of infection in persons with diabetes mellitus was increased 10.5-fold (95% confidence interval [CI], 7.8 to 14.4); in persons with cancer, it was increased 16.4-fold (95% CI, 11.5 to 23.3). CONCLUSIONS: Group B streptococcus infections cause serious disease in adults as well as in neonates, providing an additional rationale for vaccine development. Determining the incidence of adult disease and groups at greatest risk will help in focusing prevention efforts.

Female↗
PubMed2004

Molecular epidemiology of group B streptococcal infections.

Streptococcus agalactiae (GBS) is a causative agent of sepsis and meningitis in newborns and diseases in pregnant women and nonpregnant adults. Various approaches, including both nongenetic and genetic techniques, are currently used for the study of epidemiology of GBS infections. In the present paper the different methods of molecular epidemiology of GBS infections are reviewed, and several novel approaches are introduced. The advantages and disadvantages of molecular methods are discussed and compared with traditional serotyping technique. The possible use of the molecular approaches for identification of different genetic lineages in GBS as well as for identification and control of the epidemiologically actual clones is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Mechanisms of host defense against infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Various aspects of the host's response to infection by Streptococcus pneumoniae are reviewed. First, the structure of the bacterium is described, with a focus on those elements that are related to its immunogenicity and pathogenicity. The epidemiology of the pneumococcal serotypes, which are differentiated by the molecular structure of the capsule, is considered briefly, and several key points are emphasized--for example, that some pneumococcal types are more pathogenic than others; that variations in biological behavior are based on differences in the chemical composition of the capsule, although the particular factors determining virulence are not known; and that cell wall peptidoglycan, a structure common to all pneumococci, plays an important role in the inflammatory reaction in the tissues. Next, current views on the pathogenesis of pneumococcal infections are discussed. Finally, the roles of type-specific antibodies to the capsular polysaccharide and of complement in the opsonization of pneumococci and the clearance of these bacteria from the bloodstream by the spleen and liver are reviewed.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Antibody to streptococcal cysteine proteinase as a seromarker of group A Streptococcal (Streptococcus pyogenes) infections.

Serological tests are commonly employed to aid the diagnosis of Streptococcus pyogenes infections, particularly when non-suppurative sequelae are suspected. Conventional laboratory practice is to measure antibody levels to various combinations of the extracellular group A Streptococcus (GAS) antigens streptolysin O (SLO), DNase B, streptokinase and hyaluronidase. Antibody to the extracellular cysteine proteinase streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin B (SPE B) and its precursor zymogen is also produced in response to GAS infections. An indirect hemagglutination test for antibody to zymogen/SPE B was established and evaluated in serum samples from 168 patients with proven (n = 27) or suspected GAS (n = 141) infections, which were also screened for antibodies using the 4 conventional tests. For comparison, sera from 56 patients infected with a variety of other pathogens, as well as sera from 16 patients infected with either S. agalactiae or S. pneumoniae and 34 sera from healthy subjects, were tested. Statistical analysis confirmed that antibody to zymogen/SPE B is a serological marker that can discriminate GAS infections. It can be ranked with the anti-SLO titer, currently the most widely used test, as a marker of an antecedent GAS infection.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

[Autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated to infection by streptococcus in the paediatric age: PANDAS].

INTRODUCTION: The acronym PANDAS (Paediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcus) describes the neuropsychiatric disorders resulting from an autoimmune response to an infection by streptococcus in children. AIMS: The aim of this study was to clinically analyse 38 patients under the age of 16 with tics, Tourette syndrome (TS) or obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and their possible association to an infection caused by group A beta-haemolytic streptococcus (GABHS). METHOD: We reviewed the medical records at the Instituto Neurológico in Valencia (Venezuela) over a 12 year period (1988-2000). All the patients met the inclusion criteria set out by the National Institute of Mental Health in Bethesda (1997) and the DSM-IV. RESULTS: Onset of the symptoms was higher in the group of schoolchildren (n=24), followed by the group of preschool children (n=8) and adolescents (n=6). Males were predominant (n=33) (86.8%). 17 patients presented chronic tics (44.7%), 13 had transitory tics (34.2%) and there were eight cases of TS (21.1%). The most frequently related comorbid disorders were: difficulties in learning (n=30) (78.9%), ADHD (n=27) (71.1%), OCD 14 (36.8%), sleep disorders (n=14) (36.8%), behavioural disorders (n=12) (31.6%), language disorders (n=11) (28.9%), psychomotor disorders (n=10) (26.3%) and nocturnal enuresis (n=7) (18.4%). Electroencephalogram patterns were abnormal in 72.4% (n=12), and the disorganised pattern was the most frequently observed (n=12) (41.4%), followed by a slow diffuse pattern (n= 7) (24.1%) and the left centro-parieto-temporal focal paroxysmal specific pattern (n=7) (24.1%). Less frequently we found unspecific generalised paroxysmal patterns, in four cases (13.8%), and asymmetrical patterns (n=1) (3.4%). The association with an infection by streptococcus was shown in two cases, which amounted to 5.2% of the sample. CONCLUSIONS: The obtained are similar to those reported in the literature. Only 5.2% of the cases were linked to a prior streptococcus infection.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Streptococcus agalactiae infections in non-pregnant adults: single center experience of a growing clinical problem.

BACKGROUND: Group B beta-hemolytic streptococcus (Streptococcus agalactiae) has been traditionally considered a major pathogen in neonates and pregnant women. However, there is accumulating concern about its significance in non-pregnant adults too. MATERIAL/METHODS: To study Streptococcus agalactiae infections in non-pregnant adults in a 354-bed general tertiary center in Athens, Greece, we analyzed retrospectively collected data from patients with Streptococcus agalactiae isolates during a 5-year period. RESULTS: Sixty-nine strains were isolated from specimens of 65 non-pregnant adults (42 women and 23 men). Thirty-four of them were managed as inpatients and 31 as outpatients. Mean age of the 34 inpatients was 57.7 (range 18-84) years. Nineteen (17 women and 2 men) of the 34 inpatients had the organism isolated from urine. Thirteen of these 19 (68.4%) patients had clinical evidence of urinary tract infection (UTI). Streptococcus agalactiae infections were diagnosed in 26 of 34 inpatients. Besides the 13 inpatients with an UTI, 2 had bacteremia of unknown origin, 2 pneumonia, 2 erysipelas, 1 spondylodiscitis, 1 peritonitis, 2 prostatitis, 1 perirectal abscess, 1 testicular abscess, and 1 diabetic foot infection. Underlying conditions of the 26 inpatients possibly predisposing to infections were neoplasia, diabetes mellitus, heart disease, splenectomy, and corticosteroid treatment. CONCLUSIONS: In keeping with results from other recent studies Streptococcus agalactiae was isolated more frequently than previously believed from non-pregnant adults in our study. In addition, our data suggest that Streptococcus agalactiae may be an underestimated cause of UTI in non-pregnant women.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

The emergence of resistant pneumococcus as a pathogen in childhood upper respiratory tract infections.

Streptococcus pneumoniae continues to be the most common organism causing acute otitis media and sinusitis in infants and children and remains an important bacterial cause of pneumonia, septic arthritis, and bacterial meningitis in the pediatric age group. The definition, incidence, and mechanisms for penicillin resistance in pneumococcus are reviewed here. Physicians caring for children should know and understand these important concepts. At present, for most respiratory infections in children penicillin-resistant pneumococcus does not represent a clinical dilemma as far as regarding alteration of empiric antibiotic therapy. However, as this problem continues to grow, especially for patients with recurrent otitis media or sinusitis, physicians will be facing upper respiratory infections that are more commonly caused by these isolates and the antibiotic management of infections in the respiratory tract caused by penicillin and other antibiotic-resistant pneumococcal isolates will require modification.

Child↗
PubMed2000

Pathogenesis of Streptococcus zooepidemicus infection after intratracheal inoculation in llamas.

OBJECTIVES: To test whether generalized Streptococcus zooepidemicus infection could be induced by intratracheal inoculation in llamas and to characterize this infection. ANIMALS: 6 test and 3 control llamas. PROCEDURE: Test llamas received 1 of 3 dosages of S. zooepidemicus by intratracheal injection, whereas control llamas received sterile culture medium. Physical examination variables and results of clinicopathologic analyses of blood, peritoneal fluid, and tracheal wash fluid were compared in test llamas between, before, and during the development of bacteremia and with control llamas. Bacteriologic culture was performed on all collected body fluids and tissue specimens that were collected at necropsy. Tissue specimens that were collected at necropsy were examined histologically. RESULTS: Infection induced fever, anorexia, and signs of depression. Five of 6 infected llamas developed specific signs of inflammation in the thorax or abdomen, bacteremia, neutrophilic leukocytosis with toxic changes and high band neutrophil cell counts, hyperfibrinogenemia, and high peritoneal fluid WBC counts and protein concentrations. On development of bacteremia, llamas had significant decreases in serum iron (from 118+/-25 to 6+/-4 microg/ml) and increases in serum glucose (from 131+/-5 to 253+/-48 mg/dl) concentrations. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Streptococcus zooepidemicus spreads rapidly to other body compartments after intratracheal inoculation in llamas. Fever, anorexia, and signs of depression are the most consistent clinical signs, although other signs are possible. Clinicopathologic analysis of body fluids yields evidence of inflammation. Infection by S. zooepidemicus can be proven by bacteriologic culture of body fluids before death or of tissue specimens after death.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Effects of experimentally induced Streptococcus suis infection on the pharmacokinetics of penicillin G in pigs.

The pharmacokinetics of potassium penicillin G were studied in both healthy (n = 8) and experimentally Streptococcus-suis-infected (n = 6) pigs following intramuscular administration (15,000 iu/kg). Streptococcus-suis infection was induced artificially in young cross-bred pigs by subcutaneous inoculation with 9 x 10(8) to 10(9) colony-forming units of S. suis. The rectal temperature of infected pigs was significantly increased (P less than 0.01) before penicillin G injection and this was maintained for 8 h after the drug was given. Other clinical symptoms were also present. The serum concentration-time data for penicillin were found to fit a one-compartment open model with first-order absorption in the two groups of pigs. Significant changes were not observed between healthy and diseased pigs in following parameters: A, Ka, Ke and Tmax. However, in diseased pigs, significant increases (P less than 0.01) were found in Vd and ClB, and significant decreases (P less than 0.01) in Cmax and AUC occurred. The increased body clearance (ClB) and greater apparent volume of distribution (Vd) of penicillin G could partly explain why the serum values of the drug were much lower in diseased pigs than in healthy pigs.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

A rapid screening test for the diagnosis of endocervical group B streptococci in pregnancy: microbiologic results and clinical outcome.

Four hundred thirty-one parturient women were tested for cervical infection with group B streptococcus using standard bacterial culture and a commercially available latex particle agglutination test. The total time required to perform each latex test was 30 minutes or less. The prevalence of endocervical group B streptococcus by culture was 4.4%, half of whom developed clinically significant group B streptococcus infection; all such cases were identified correctly by the latex test. The predictive value of a negative latex test for a negative group B streptococcus culture was 98%. This method seems promising as a rapid intrapartum diagnostic test for ruling out group B streptococcus infection and thus avoiding unnecessary antibiotic treatment.

Female↗
PubMed2003

Clinical and pathological observations on Streptococcus sp. infection on South African trout farms with gas supersaturated water supplies.

Infection with a faecal Streptococcus species belonging to Lancefield group D has been a major cause of mortalities on certain trout farms on the escarpment of the Mpumalanga Province in the Republic of South Africa. Evidence is given of a connection between subclinical gas bubble disease and infection with this organism in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss. The condition causes serious losses during the summer months when water temperatures rise above 18 degrees C. The larger table-size fish are affected first and present with exophthalmos before developing signs of a typical bacterial septicaemia. The design of the water supply to the fish ponds on these farms allowed supersaturation of the water with atmospheric gas. Vortex formation at water extraction points appears to have been the main cause of air entrainment into the water supply leading to the ponds. By correcting the faults responsible for the development of hyperbaric gas pressure in the water, it was possible to control this disease on two badly affected farms. The overlapping similarities in the clinical signs and pathology of gas bubble disease and that seen in fish suffering from Streptococcus D infection are discussed, as well as the diagnostically significant changes in the gill tissues that are specific to subclinical exposure to gas supersaturation in the water. An explanation is given for the increased susceptibility to infection with this organism.

Air Pressure↗
PubMed1988

Maternal transmission and dental caries induction in Sprague-Dawley rats infected with Streptococcus mutans.

Thirty-four female rats (18 days old) were infected with Streptococcus mutans MT8148R (serotype c) or 6715 (g). Diets containing different proportions of sucrose were used to prepare the dams which harbored various levels of S. mutans in their oral cavity. Around 66 days of age, the female rats were bred and 34 dams subsequently bore 322 offspring. The dams were killed upon weaning (20 days of age) of their respective litters. There were positive correlations between the recovery of inoculated S. mutans and the caries incidence in the dams. Transmission of S. mutans from a dam to her offspring was studied in 10-, 15-, 20-, 27-, 34-, 41-, 48-, and 55-day-old rats by evaluating the recover of S. mutans from the offspring. Positive correlation between the magnitudes of recovered S. mutans MT8148R from dams and their offspring was found in all ages of young rats examined. Furthermore, caries incidence in young rats was found to be positively correlated with the recovery of both strains of S. mutans as well as with incidence of caries in their respective dams.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

[Cervical spine infection with Streptococcus anginosus. Case report].

A case of cervical spine infection due to Streptococcus anginosus is reported. Streptococcus milleri is encountered in the mouth, gastro-intestinal tract, vagina and nasopharynx. It is an uncommon pathogen responsible of suppurative infections such as brain liver or spleen abscesses, intra-abdominal or soft tissue abscesses and pleural empyema. In rare cases it can cause spondylodiscitis and osteomyelitis. Based on the review of eight cases of spondylodiscitis or osteomyelitis, diagnosis and treatment are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Streptococcus suis infection in swine: a retrospective study of 256 cases. Part I. Epidemiologic factors and antibiotic susceptibility patterns.

A retrospective study of 256 cases of naturally acquired Streptococcus suis infections in swine submitted to the Indiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory from 1985 to 1989 was performed to determine the epidemiologic factors and antibiotic susceptibility patterns associated with S. suis serotypes 1-8 and 1/2. A standardized computer form was used to record the history, signalment, and clinical signs obtained from the records of selected cases and the microscopic lesions identified after review of the histopathology slides for each case. A computer statistics package (SAS) was used to evaluate the data. Although the number of recovered S. suis isolates increased in the fall and winter months, most serotypes were readily isolated throughout the year; only serotypes 1, 4, 7, and 1/2 increased in frequency of isolation in the fall, winter, and spring months. The majority (61.1%) of infected pigs in this study were < 12 weeks of age. More than 75% of pigs infected with serotypes 1, 6, 7, and 1/2 were < 12 weeks of age. There was extensive overlap in the age distributions for pigs with each serotype, and statistically significant differences for most serotypes were not observed. Fifty percent of pigs infected with S. suis serotypes 1 and 1/2 were 3-10 weeks of age, 50% of pigs infected with serotype 2 were 6-14 weeks of age, and 50% of pigs infected with serotypes 3, 4, 5, 7, and 8 were 2-16 weeks of age. Isolates of S. suis were not uniformly susceptible to penicillin, and a large percentage of isolates were resistant to many antibiotics in common usage.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Age Factors↗
PubMed1995

[Clinical evaluation of cefpodoxime proxetil, a new oral cephem, in the treatment of respiratory tract infections with the special reference to community-acquired Streptococcus Pneumoniae infections].

The clinical usefulness of cefpodoxime proxetil (CPDX-PR) was investigated in the treatment of pneumonia and chronic airway infections occurring in patients first visiting our outpatient clinic or those being treated at the outpatient clinic. CPDX-PR was orally administered twice a day after meals at a dose of 100-200 mg for acute respiratory tract infections and at a dose of 200 mg for chronic respiratory tract infections. Excellent, good, fair, and poor responses were observed in 20, 33, 10, and 3 of 66 patients (4 with acute bronchitis, 27 with pneumonia, and 35 with acute exacerbation of chronic airway infection), respectively, demonstrating an 80.3% efficacy rate (53/66). Causative organisms, including Streptococcus pneumoniae, were all eradicated from the patients whose causative organisms were examined over time, although 2 of the patients were superinfected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. There were no serious adverse reactions or abnormal changes in laboratory test results. It was concluded that CPDX-PR could be used as a first-choice drug for the treatment of respiratory tract infections at an outpatient clinic, and that this drug should acquire greater importance in particular consideration of recent increases in infections with S. pneumoniae.

Adult↗