Molecular characterization of Streptococcus pyogenes isolates collected during periods of increased acute rheumatic fever activity in Utah

BACKGROUND Pharyngotonsillitis is defined as a spectrum of conditions ranging from inflammation primarily confined to the tonsils to pharyngitis implying generalized inflammation of the whole of pharynx. Children are more prone to get several episodes of pharyngotonsillitis per year during their school years. Pharyngitis caused by Streptococcus pyogenes can cause two non-suppurative complications, acute rheumatic fever and acute glomerulonephritis which is responsible for significant morbidity and mortality. The present study was conducted to identify the prevalence of bacterial pathogens causing pharyngotonsillitis and to study their antibiotic sensitivity pattern that would indicate the optimum line of treatment. METHOD A total of 200 children at the age group of 2 - 12 years who had clinical features of pharyngotonsillitis according to the inclusion criteria were recruited for this study over a period of one year. With the help of a disposable wooden spatula, pus from the pharyngo tonsillar region was collected and processed. Predominant isolates obtained were identified and antibiotic sensitivity was done. RESULTS Bacteria was isolated from 70 samples. Pharyngotonsillitis was found most prevalent at the age group of 8 – 10 years. Intake of cold food stuffs and passive smoking at home was found to have statistically significant association as risk factor for pharyngotonsillitis. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common organism isolated followed by Streptococcus pyogenes. The other organisms isolated were group G and C streptococci, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumonia sub species (spp) aerogenes. CONCLUSIONS Staphylococcus aureus was the most common organism isolated, followed by Streptococcus pyogenes. All the isolates of beta haemolytic streptococci were found to be sensitive to penicillin. There was increased incidence of resistance to macrolides among the gram-positive isolates except Streptococcus pneumoniae and it may be due to the wide spread use of macrolides injudiciously. All the bacterial pharyngotonsillitis cases were cured with the antibiotic given according to the sensitivity except one case. KEYWORDS Pharyngotonsillitis, Acute Rheumatic Fever, Acute Glomerulonephritis, Bacterial Pathogens, Antibiogram

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Molecular Characterization of Streptococcus pyogenes Causing Invasive Disease in Pediatric Population in Spain A 12-year Study

The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal ◽

10.1097/inf.0000000000002471 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 38 (12) ◽

pp. 1168-1172

Author(s):

Viviana Sánchez-Encinales ◽

Guillermo Ludwig ◽

Esther Tamayo ◽

Jose Maria García-Arenzana ◽

Carmen Muñoz-Almagro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Molecular Characterization ◽

Streptococcus Pyogenes ◽

Pediatric Population ◽

Invasive Disease

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Does it make sense to detect Streptococcus pyogenes during tonsillitis in Europe to prevent acute rheumatic fever?

Clinical Microbiology and Infection ◽

10.1111/1469-0691.12802 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 20 (12) ◽

pp. O981-O982 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

S. Edouard ◽

A. Michel-Lepage ◽

D. Raoult

Keyword(s):

Rheumatic Fever ◽

Streptococcus Pyogenes ◽

Acute Rheumatic Fever

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Epidemiology and Molecular Characterization of Streptococcus pyogenes Recovered from Scarlet Fever Patients in Central Taiwan from 1996 to 1999

Journal of Clinical Microbiology ◽

10.1128/jcm.42.9.3998-4006.2004 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 42 (9) ◽

pp. 3998-4006 ◽

Cited By ~ 31

Author(s):

C.-S. Chiou ◽

T.-L. Liao ◽

T.-H. Wang ◽

H.-L. Chang ◽

J.-C. Liao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Molecular Characterization ◽

Streptococcus Pyogenes ◽

Scarlet Fever ◽

Central Taiwan

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Molecular characterization of macrolide resistant Streptococcus pyogenes isolates from pharyngitis patients in Serbia

Infection Genetics and Evolution ◽

10.1016/j.meegid.2015.05.011 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 33 ◽

pp. 246-252 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Natasa Opavski ◽

Ina Gajic ◽

Anna L. Borek ◽

Katarzyna Obszańska ◽

Maja Stanojevic ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Molecular Characterization ◽

Streptococcus Pyogenes

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Utility of Detecting sof Gene as Evidence of Streptococcus pyogenes Infection in Acute Rheumatic Fever

Indian Pediatrics ◽

10.1007/s13312-019-1521-7 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 56 (4) ◽

pp. 311-313

Author(s):

Nikki Agarwal ◽

Seema Kapoor ◽

Ankit Mangla ◽

Ashok Kumar ◽

Ravi N. Mandal ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rheumatic Fever ◽

Streptococcus Pyogenes ◽

Acute Rheumatic Fever

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Acute Rheumatic Fever: A Disease of the Past?

Case Reports in Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1155/2020/1470697 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-3

Author(s):

Robert L. Myette

Keyword(s):

Case Report ◽

Rheumatic Fever ◽

Streptococcus Pyogenes ◽

Acute Rheumatic Fever ◽

Healthy Children ◽

Marginalized Populations ◽

Urban Hospital ◽

Urban Centers ◽

The Past ◽

Delays In Diagnosis

Introduction. Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is a manifestation of the nonsuppurative sequelae of Streptococcus pyogenes infection. Herein, two cases of ARF are presented to highlight that this disease is present in urban cities, can be diagnosed in otherwise healthy children, and that its diagnosis may be challenging, or marred with confounders, leading to delays in diagnosis. Case Report. Two unrelated children, age 7 and 9, presented to an urban hospital in Canada with unique manifestations of ARF. Diagnosis of ARF in the first patient was interrupted by a course of steroids which masked symptoms leading to therapeutic delays. The second patient presented with facial droop and symptoms thought to be viral, thus leading to misdiagnosis as Bell’s palsy. Discussion/Conclusion. ARF is more common in underserviced and marginalized populations, which may lead clinicians in urban centers to overlook signs or symptoms suggestive of ARF because they no longer see this condition routinely, or they believe it is a disease of the past.

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