Streptococcus pyogenes appearance
- Gram-positive cocci in chains (when cultivated in liquid media)
- nonmotile
- often encapsulated (capsule composed of hyaluronic acid)
- non-spore-forming
Life-threatening infections caused by Streptococcus pyogenes
An estimated 700 million infections occur worldwide each year. While the overall mortality rate for these infections is 0.1%, over 650,000 of the cases are severe and invasive, and have a mortality rate of 25%. Early recognition and treatment are critical; diagnostic failure can result in sepsis and death (Wikipedia).
- necrotizing fasciitis
- toxic shock syndrome (TSS)
- meningitis
- bacterial pneumonia
Streptococcus pyogenes treatment
Selection of appropriate antibiotics depends on diagnosis!!
Penicillin
- penicillin G
Alternative:
Other beta-lactam antibiotics, e.g.
- amoxicillin
- cefpodoxime
- cefazolin
- cefotaxime
Macrolides
(danger of macrolide resistance)
- erythromycin
- clarithromycin
- azithromycin
- clindamycin
Links:
Wikipedia
Colony appearance
