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Importantly, Streptococcus agalactiae is the most common cause of meningitis in infants from one month to three months old. They can also colonize the intestines and the female reproductive tract, increasing the risk for premature rupture of membranes during pregnancy, and transmission of the organism to the infant.
Group A β-hemolytic streptococcus can cause infections of the throat and skin. [6] These may vary from very mild conditions to severe, life-threatening diseases. Although it is not completely clear what causes different people to develop different diseases as a result of infection with the same pathogenic bacteria , it is suspected that host ...
Streptococcosis can start occurring due to a weak immune system, or by having bacteria enter wounds. [1] Spreading of Streptococcus is often sporadic, [4] and can be done through direct contact (may be done through materials that are likely to carry infection), air transport or (rarely) ingestion. [1]
However, both Streptococcus dysgalactiae and the Streptococcus anginosus group can possess group A antigen as well. Group A streptococci, when grown on blood agar, typically produce small (2–3 mm) zones of beta-hemolysis, a complete destruction of red blood cells. The name group A (beta-hemolytic) Streptococcus is thus also used. [1]
Pain can be treated with paracetamol (acetaminophen) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen. [6] Strep throat is a common bacterial infection in children. [2] It is the cause of 15–40% of sore throats among children [7] [13] and 5–15% among adults. [8] Cases are more common in late winter and early spring. [13]
It can be a cause of neonatal infections. [4] Streptococcus pneumoniae is the main cause of community acquired pneumonia and meningitis in children and the elderly, [5] and of sepsis in those infected with HIV. The organism also causes many types of pneumococcal infections other than pneumonia.
Streptococcus agalactiae is the most common human pathogen belonging to group B of the Lancefield classification of streptococci—hence the name of group B stretococcal (GBS). Infection with GBS can cause serious illness and sometimes death, especially in newborns, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems.
Microorganisms can cause tissue damage by releasing a variety of toxins or destructive enzymes. For example, Clostridium tetani releases a toxin that paralyzes muscles, and staphylococcus releases toxins that produce shock and sepsis. Not all infectious agents cause disease in all hosts.