The Many Infectous Diseases Caused by Streptococcus Pyogenes

Streptococcus Pyogenes: Multi-Purpose Monsters

Streptococcus pyogenes is a type of group A streptococci that causes many infectious diseases. This bacteria is commonly found in a variety of organisms, but is usually harmless unless the organisms defenses are compromised. When detrimental, group A streptococci cause infections such as impetigo, ecthyma, scarlet fever, and necrotizing fasciitis. Each of these infections displays different symptoms and requires different treatment. These treatments are primarily by antibiotics, because antibiotics are still the chief cure for GAS bacterial infections. One of the most interesting, rare, and fatal infections caused by streptococcus pyogenes is necrotizing fasciitis, and though it can cause some severe symptoms, a simple dose of antibiotics can prevent or even cure this dangerous infection.

Streptococci are a large, diverse group of bacteria that are gram-positive cocci (Sharma). Streptococcus Pyogenes, a group A Streptococcus, is a universal organism that can cause many different diseases in humans (Sharma). Group A Streptococci are commonly referred to as GAS and they are commonly identified on blood agar plates as white or gray colonies (Sharma). They commonly appear in pairs or short chains that are non-motile and non-spore-forming (Sharma). Additionally, they have a fermentative metabolism, and are facultative anaerobes that require blood to grow (Todar). For this reason, GAS bacteria are often found in mammals. It is estimated that 15%-20% of all healthy individuals harbor this pathogen in their bodies, specifically their respiratory tract—without signs of disease (Todar). However, it is believed that the bacteria can cause harm if the organism’s defenses are compromised or th...

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