An outbreak of Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp equisimilis in a hospital in the south of Brazil

Abstract

The beta-hemolytic group C streptococci (Lancefield's group) has been considered an emergent human pathogen, showing an important role as an opportunist agent, being responsible for nosocomial infections and outbreaks. This study is reporting the first outbreak of nosocomial infection caused by Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis in Brazil. From January, 2002, to December, 2004, S. equisimilis was isolated in 67/207 (32.37%) samples from secretions of patients' infected wounds, interned at the Hospital of Sanitary Dermatology in the State of Paraná (HDSPR). The prevalence of this microorganism increased from 11/42 (26.19%) in 2002, 14/65 (21.54%) in 2003 to 42/100 (42.00%) in 2004. This increase was statistically significant (p=0.024), and this microorganism became the most frequently isolated in these patients, overtaking the rates of isolation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The S. equisimilis grew in pure culture, as a unique microorganism, in six samples (2.9%) out of 207. Fresh feces of 15 animals (horses and sheep) living in the proximities of the hospital were also examined and three of them positive for S. equisimilis. The biochemical profile of the strains isolated from the patients and from the animals was the same. These animals might have been the source of the dissemination of the outbreak in the hospital. New studies will be necessary to confirm the genetic relationship between the strains isolated from patients and animals.

Outbreak of Glomerulonephritis Caused by Streptococcus zooepidemicus SzPHV5 Type in Monte Santo de Minas, Minas Gerais, Brazil

“…The GCS isolates were presumptively identified based on their phenotypic characteristics on BAPs after incubation at 36°C Ϯ 1°C under an aerobic atmosphere. The beta-hemolytic, catalase-negative, Gram-positive cocci arranged in chains and latex agglutination test group C-specific antisera (streptococcal grouping KitR, Oxoid, Basingstoke, England) were identified by the biochemical tests deamination of arginine, hydrolysis of starch, and production of acid in sorbitol, trehalose, lactose, and ribose (18,19).…”

Outbreak of Glomerulonephritis byStreptococcus zooepidemicusSzPHV5 type, in Monte Santo de Minas, Minas Gerais, Brazil

“…The GCS isolates were presumptively identified based on their phenotypic characteristics on BAPs after incubation at 36°C±1 in aerobic atmosphere. The □hemolytic, catalase-negative, Gram-positive cocci arranged in chains, latex agglutination test group C – specific antisera (Streptococcal Grouping KitR, Oxoid, Basingstoke, England) were identified by the biochemical tests, deamination of arginine, hydrolysis of starch, production of acid in sorbitol, trehalose, lactose and ribose (18,19). Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS; Vitek MS, bioMérieux) was also employed to confirm the identify the strains involved in the outbreak (20).…”