Streptococcus

These tiny bacteria look like a harmless string of pearls–at least under a microscope. In people, they wear many faces: mild discomfort, minor inconvenience, or searing tragedy - Dr. Greene

Streptococcus

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Strep Vaccine Could Save Lives and Reduce Health Care Costs—So Why Don't We Have One?

Does the world need a vaccine for strep throat? In a rare alignment, the pharmaceutical industry and global health advocates like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation both see such a shot as a low priority. And for the many American families for whom strep is just a routine, if annoying, feature of winter, that perspective may seem correct. But two researchers on opposite sides of the globe disagree—and in light of a recent spike in deaths, rising antibiotic resistance and a litany of other issues caused by this seemingly manageable infection, they may just be right.The group A streptococcus bacterium, the microbe responsible for strep, causes 616 million cases of sore throat each year worldwide.…

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 Strep Vaccine Could Save Lives and Reduce Health Care Costs—So Why Don't We Have One?

Does the world need a vaccine for strep throat? In a rare alignment, the pharmaceutical industry and global health advocates like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation both see such a shot as a low priority. And for the many American families for whom strep is just a routine, if annoying, feature of winter, that perspective may seem correct. But two researchers on opposite sides of the globe disagree—and in light of a recent spike in deaths, rising antibiotic resistance and a litany of other issues caused by this seemingly manageable infection, they may just be right.

MedlinePlus

Strep is short for Streptococcus, a type of bacteria. There are two types: group A and group B. Group A strep causes •Strep throat - a sore, red throat, sometimes with white spots on the tonsils •Scarlet fever - an illness that follows strep throat. It causes a red rash on the body. •Impetigo - a skin infection •Toxic shock syndrome •Cellulitis and necrotizing fasciitis (flesh-eating disease) Group B strep can cause blood infections, pneumonia and meningitis in newborns.

Group A (GAS)

While group A streptococcal infections have not been re­portable diseases for several decades, the true incidences of ARF, streptococcal pharyngitis, scarlet fever and invasive infections are un­known - Dennis L. Stevens PhD MD

Group A and B Streptococcus

Infections with group A and B Streptococcus (respectively Streptococcus pyogenes and Streptococcus agalactiae) are frequent. The two bacteria are part of the commensal flora and they only cause symptoms in certain conditions (opportunistic pathogens) or in people at risk. Group A Streptococcus is responsible for several benign infections (including strep throat and impetigo) but can also cause invasive and sometimes fatal infections (such as toxic shock syndrome and necrotizing fasciitis). Group B Streptococcus is responsible for severe invasive infections (including bacteremia and meningitis) in newborns.

Group B (GBS)

Group B strep (GBS) is a type of gram-positive streptococcal bacteria also known as Streptococcus agalactiae. This type of bacteria (not to be confused with group A strep which causes "strep throat") is commonly found in the human body, and it usually does not cause any symptoms. However, in certain cases, it can be a dangerous cause of various infections that can affect nonpregnant adults, pregnant women, and their newborn infants - Steven DoerrMD

Impetigo

Impetigo, or “school sores”, is a contagious infection of the very top layer of skin. It’s most common in children aged two to six, and ends up spreading from child to child in schools and daycare centres, but can affect children and adults of all ages.

PANDAS

Anything that can give you a fever, in the right genetic and immune setting can give you PANDAS - Dr. Rosario Trifiletti

Scarlet Fever

Scarlet fever is pretty rare these days, but it hasn't been completely eradicated. It's easily identifiable by its rough and itchy rash...

Strep Throat

Asking people about just two symptoms — fever and lack of cough — is the most important - Nancy Shute

National Library of Medicine

Prompt penicillin treatment of streptococcal pharyngitis reduces the antigenic stimulus and therefore prevents glomerulonephritis and acute rheumatic fever. Vancomycin resistance among the enterococci is an emerging microbial threat. Vaccines are under development.

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