Characterization of Invasive Group A Streptococcal Diseases, Necrotizing Faciitis
Abstract
Invasive Group A Streptococcus has been around the human civilization since the beginning of our existence, and it continues to be a threat today. Invasive Group A Streptococcus, known as invasive GAS, occurs around 9400 times a year in the United States alone, while it is unknown about the rest of the world due to recording inconsistencies. This bacterium exists as one of the most common flora in humans, and can only start infection when there is a region which has been opened. For example, these regions could include the blood, muscles, and other various locations. Necrotizing fasciitis, dubbed as the "flesh-eating bacteria" by the media, is one of the known bacteria within the invasive group A Streptococcus. Although the mortality and morbidity rate of necrotizing fasciitis is at 70-80%, treatment may reduce it to 30-50%.
Invasive Group A Streptococcus disease, known as invasive GAS, is a disease that stems from the Group A bacterium found on the throat and skin. This bacterium is known as Streptococcus pygoenes. A bacterium of this strain is a gram-positive, nonmotile, nonsporeforming coccus that occurs in chains or in pairs in cells. The individual cells of this bacterium are round cocci, about .6-1.0 micrometer in diameter. The bacteria divides in 1 plane, therefore, cells occur in pairs or in chains of various lengths. Streptococcus pygoenes is also a catalase-negative nervetolerant microbe anaerobe. It requires certain encriched mediums that contain blood in order to divide and grow. GAS contains a capsule of hyaluronic acid, which makes it exhibit hemolysis, which are white colonies on blood agar. S. pyogenes is always foun...
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...hould take care to protect themselves from this bacteria. Although it is not always possible, since this bacterium is found in 5-15% of humans as normal flora, there are always ways to help
Characterization of Invasive Group? 5
prevent it. While this invasive Group A Streptococcus is not as rampant as before antibiotics were introduced, it is still a major problem in certain areas in the world, so research on better ways to eliminate this disease should continue.
References:
Infectious Diseases and Immunization Committee. (1999, April 4). Invasive Group A Streptococcal Diseases. Streptococcal Diseases. July 26, 2005: http://www.cps.ca/english/statements/ID/id98-05.htm
Maynor, M. (2005, January). Necrotizing Fasciits. Infectious Diseases. July 26, 2005: http://www.emedicine.com/EMERG/topic332.htm
Skinner, F. (1987). Streptococci. New York: Academic Press Inc.