scholarly journals The role of normal skin in the spread of streptococcal pyoderma

1970 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. A. Dudding ◽  
J. W. Burnett ◽  
S. S. Chapman ◽  
L. W. Wannamaker
Keyword(s):  
Normal Skin ◽  
Skin Lesions ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Group A Streptococci ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract ◽  
Predisposing Factor ◽  
Skin Flora ◽  
Primary Body ◽  
Group A ◽  
Upper Respiratory

SummaryThe primary body site of acquisition of group A streptococci was examined prospectively in a population with endemic streptococcal pyoderma. Weekly cultures were obtained during the skin infection season from apparently normal upper respiratory and cutaneous sites (and from skin lesions when present) in 44 children and adults living on the Red Lake Indian Reservation.During the 9-week period of the study 705 of a total of 2305 cultures were positive for group A streptococci. The percentage of positive cultures from the various sites were: throat (20%); nose (24%); wrist (32%); ankle (35%); back (22%); and skin lesions (81%). Group A streptococci were also isolated from fingernail dirt, clothing and bedding as well as from a few household pets and insects.Analysis of serial cultures obtained from the same individuals at weekly intervals suggested that the strains isolated from skin lesions first appeared on normal skin in the 2 weeks preceding the lesion. Spread to the nose and throat followed skin acquisition and/or skin lesions.The high prevalence of group A streptococci on normal skin in the absence as well as the presence of pyoderma, and their appearance on normal skin before recovery from either skin lesions or the upper respiratory tract are consistent with the view that skin acquisition was a primary predisposing factor to pyoderma. Since the literature indicates that group A streptococci are rarely part of the normal skin flora, these findings raise the possibility of unique biological properties of these and perhaps other pyoderma strains, as distinct from other group A streptococci.

scholarly journals Streptococcal pharyngitis in general practice. 1. Some unusual features of the epidemiology

1992 ◽  
Vol 109 (2) ◽  
pp. 181-189 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. M. Higgins
Keyword(s):  
Sore Throat ◽  
Age Distribution ◽  
Positive Culture ◽  
Streptococcal Pharyngitis ◽  
Group A Streptococci ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract ◽  
Acute Infections ◽  
Group A ◽  
Upper Respiratory ◽  
Highly Correlated

SUMMARYThis report is based on a study of acute infections of the upper respiratory tract in 1965 and detailed records of such infections in 1963 and 1964. A change from illnesses mainly yielding viruses to illnesses mainly yielding group A streptococci was noted around the age of 5 years. A positive culture for group A streptococci in patients over 4 years of age was highly correlated with a complaint of sore throat and with serological evidence of streptococcal infection. A bimodal age distribution curve for pharyngitis associated with a positive culture for group A streptococci was consistently noted. The incidence was highest in children aged 5–9 but a second smaller peak occurred among adults in the 30–39 age group. The evidence suggests that being female increases the risk of acquiring group A streptococci and of experiencing sore throat.

Significance of Quantitative Salivary Cultures for Group A and Non-group A β-Hemolytic Streptococci in Patients with Pharyngitis and in Their Family Contacts

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1979 ◽  
Vol 64 (6) ◽  
pp. 904-912
Author(s):  
Edward L. Kaplan ◽  
Robert Couser ◽  
Barbara Ballard Huwe ◽  
Carolyn Mckay ◽  
Lewis W. Wannamaker
Keyword(s):  
Antibody Response ◽  
Respiratory Tract ◽  
Group A Streptococci ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract ◽  
C Reactive Protein ◽  
Throat Culture ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Group A ◽  
Bona Fide ◽  
Upper Respiratory

One hundred ninety-six individuals, 86 with clinically overt pharyngotonsillitis and 110 of their clinically negative contacts were studied to evaluate the sensitivity and the specificity of quantitative saliva cultures for group A β-hemolytic streptococci. We also compared this technique with semiquantitative throat cultures as a means of isolating group A streptococci and of differentiating the streptococcal carrier state from patients with bona fide streptococcal upper respiratory tract infection as defmed by the presence of an antibody response. The data indicate that the throat culture is a more reliable means of identifying group A β-hemolytic streptococci in the upper respiratory tract than is the saliva culture. The converse is true for non-group A β-hemolytic streptococci; the saliva culture is a much better means for isolating these organisms. In individuals positive by both techniques we found good correlation between the degree of positivity of the saliva culture and the degree of positivity of the throat culture. Furthermore, while there was a definite trend for individuals with strongly positive cultures to demonstrate more often an antibody rise in either antistreptolysin O and/or antideoxynibonuclease B—indicating bona fide infection—this relationship was not sufficiently constant to provide a clear differentiation. This study also indicates that discordance (one positive, one negative) of simultaneous duplicate semiquantitative throat cultures is much more common among individuals who do not show an antibody response ("carriers") than among those with an antibody response (bona fide infection). This study confirms our previous observations suggesting that the presence of C-reactive protein in the serum of patients with a positive culture for group A streptococci and clinical signs and symptoms of pharyngitis is often an indication of true streptococcal upper respiratory tract infection, and that even with a positive saliva culture at the initial visit, a negative C-reactive protein is only infrequently (25%) associated with an antibody response.

scholarly journals Splenomegaly in acute infections due to group A streptococci and viruses

1992 ◽  
Vol 109 (2) ◽  
pp. 199-209 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. M. Higgins
Keyword(s):  
Mononuclear Cells ◽  
Streptococcal Infection ◽  
Group A Streptococci ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract ◽  
Cervical Lymphadenitis ◽  
Acute Infections ◽  
Group A ◽  
Coxsackie B Viruses ◽  
Upper Respiratory ◽  
Coxsackie B

SUMMARYOver a period of 9 years in general practice temporary enlargement of the spleen was found in 29 episodes of pharyngitis or tonsillitis, in 2 episodes of acute upper respiratory tract infection other than pharyngitis and in 6 episodes of acute cervical lymphadenitis. In five patients more than one episode of illness associated with splenomegaly was recorded.In 26 of the 37 episodes a possible aetiology was identified. Evidence only of infection with group A streptococci was found in 14 episodes, adenoviruses or coxsackie B viruses were isolated alone in 4 episodes and in 4 episodes the only finding was the presence in the blood of more than occasional atypical mononuclear cells; in 4 episodes there was evidence of both streptococcal and viral infection. Episodes with evidence of streptococcal infection only tended to be of shorter duration and to be more evenly distributed over the year than were episodes without such evidence. Temporary splenomegaly was noted also in two children with varicella (one of whom also had streptococcal infection) and in an adult with probable rubella.

scholarly journals A Case of Group A Streptococcal Meningitis in an Adult

1993 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 223-226
Author(s):  
Andrew LS Pattullo ◽  
Eric J Bow
Keyword(s):  
Rapid Diagnosis ◽  
Soft Tissue Infections ◽  
Group A Streptococci ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract ◽  
Pyogenic Meningitis ◽  
Source Of Infection ◽  
Appropriate Treatment ◽  
Group A ◽  
Upper Respiratory ◽  
Streptococcal Meningitis

Group A streptococci are an important cause of soft tissue infections but have rarely been reported as the cause of pyogenic meningitis since the advent of antibiotics. A case of group A streptococcal meningitis in an adult is presented along with a review of similar cases reported in the literature. This case serves to illustrate the virulent nature of this pathogen in infections of the meninges, the potential for associated complications, and the need for rapid diagnosis and appropriate treatment. The source of infection in this and many other cases in the literature is the upper respiratory tract. The case presented responded well to antibiotics but resulted in permanent auditory-vestibular dysfunction.

INFLUENCE OF PENICILLINASE-PRODUCING STAPHYLOCOCCI ON THE ERADICATION OF GROUP A STREPTOCOCCI FROM THE UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT BY PENICILLIN TREATMENT

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1966 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 467-476 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul G. Quie ◽  
Howard C. Pierce ◽  
Lewis W. Wannamaker
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Tract ◽  
Respiratory Illness ◽  
Penicillin G ◽  
Group A Streptococci ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract ◽  
Benzathine Penicillin G ◽  
Group A ◽  
Upper Respiratory ◽  
Penicillin Treatment

Penicillinase-producing strains of S. aureus were isolated from the upper respiratory tract of 28% of a group of children presenting with signs or symptoms of respiratory illness and group A streptococci on cultures from the pharynx or anterior nares. Although group A streptococci were found in 10% of the children 14 to 30 days after penicillin treatment, no correlation was found between the presence of penicillinase-producing S. aureus initially or at follow-up and re-isolation of group A streptococci. There was no suggestion from these studies that antibiotic therapy aimed at penicillin-resistant staphylococci would be of any greater value than intramuscular benzathine penicillin G for the treatment of patients with group A streptococci in the upper respiratory tract.

Impact of single dose azithromycin on group A streptococci in the upper respiratory tract and skin of Aboriginal children

2002 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 375-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
TANIA M. SHELBY-JAMES ◽  
AMANDA J. LEACH ◽  
JONATHAN R. CARAPETIS ◽  
BART J. CURRIE ◽  
JOHN D. MATHEWS
Keyword(s):  
Single Dose ◽  
Respiratory Tract ◽  
Group A Streptococci ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract ◽  
Group A ◽  
Upper Respiratory ◽  
Aboriginal Children

scholarly journals Inhibitory substances produced byStreptococcus salivariusand colonization of the upper respiratory tract with group A streptococci

1989 ◽  
Vol 102 (3) ◽  
pp. 401-412 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Charles Huskins ◽  
Edward L. Kaplan
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Tract ◽  
Therapy Group ◽  
Group A Streptococci ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract ◽  
Viridans Streptococci ◽  
Total Percentage ◽  
Group I ◽  
Group A ◽  
Upper Respiratory ◽  
Group Ii

SUMMARYIt has been proposed that inhibitory substances produced by viridans streptococci colonizing the upper respiratory tract aid in cradication of established group A streptococcal colonization of that site. We studied the prevalence of inhibitory-substance producing strains ofStreptococcus salivariusin throat cultures from three groups of children: 16 children with persistently positive throat cultures for group A streptococci despite receiving recommended therapeutic courses of antibiotics (group I). 26 children from whom group A streptococci were eradicated from the upper respirator tract by antibiotic therapy (group II). and 18 children who never harboured group A streptococci in their upper respiratory tract during the study period (group Ill). An vitro deferred antagonism method was employed to detect inhibitory substances: 5233 strains ofS. salivariuswere examined. Strains ofS. salivariusproducing inhibitory substances were isolated from 76−88% of the children in each group on at least one occasion.However, only a small percentage of subjects in each group harboured strains producing these substances in every throat culture. The mean total percentage ofS. salivariusstrains producing inhibitory substances was 21·8% in children in group 1·22.4 % in children in group II. and 16.4% in children in group III: these percentages were not statistically different (P > 0·1). In this study, we could not confirm a significant role for inhibitory substances produced byS. salivariusin the eradication of group A streptococci from the upper respiratory tract of colonized individuals.

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