Acute Pharyngitis Associated With Streptococcus dysgalactiae Subspecies equisimilis in Children

Abstract

Background and Objectives: The importance of Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis (SDSE) in causing sporadic pharyngitis in children remains controversial. The aims of this study were (1) to report the incidence and (2) to compare the epidemiologic and clinical features of patients with SDSE to those with Streptococcus pyogenes (SP). Methods: A prospective study was conducted on acute pharyngitis associated with SDSE in children over a 2-year period. SDSE was identified using a phenotypic method, M protein gene (emm) analysis and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry. Patients with positive SDSE or SP cultures received cephalosporins for 5 days and were followed up. The emm genotyping and specific virulence genes analyses were performed. Results: From 3416 throat cultures, 67 isolates (2.0%) were identified as SDSE and 515 (15.1%) were identified as SP. The mean age of patients with SDSE (8.3 years) was older than those with SP (6.6 years; P < 0.01). There was minimal seasonal variation in the isolation rates of SDSE. The febrile patients’ rates, gender distribution, cervical lymph node adenopathy rates, hospitalization rates, eradication and failure rates and the nonsuppurative sequelae between patients with SDSE and SP were similar. All SDSE isolates possessed important virulence genes. The emm genotyping of SDSE showed high strain diversity. Conclusions: The incidence of acute pharyngitis associated with accurately identified SDSE was 2/15 of that with SP. Epidemiologic and clinical features of acute pharyngitis associated with SDSE are indistinguishable from those with SP, with the exception of age and seasonal variation.

Toxic shock syndrome caused by Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis in a Mexican preschool patient

“…The patient in this report started with an upper respiratory tract infection that led to the lethal form of toxic shock syndrome in a few days. In a recent study, SDSE has been identified in 2% of cases of acute pharyngitis, predominantly in schoolchildren 20 , apparently with a favorable course.…”

Pathogenicity and drug resistance of animal streptococci responsible for human infections

“…Treatment recommendations for SDSE infections are widely described in the literature and are based on multiple strains [123,152]. Kakuya et al [152] based their recommendations on the study of more than 3000 isolates isolated from pharyngitis. Extensive use of cephalosporins is suggested in cases of throat infections.…”

“…Treatment recommendations for SDSE infections are widely described in the literature and are based on multiple strains [123, 152]. Kakuya et al .…”

“…Kakuya et al . [152] based their recommendations on the study of more than 3000 isolates isolated from pharyngitis. Extensive use of cephalosporins is suggested in cases of throat infections.…”

Relieving Sore Throat Formula Exerts a Therapeutic Effect on Pharyngitis through Immunoregulation and NF-κB Pathway

“…The deterioration of infection may also lead to systemic complications such as acute nephritis, sepsis, rheumatic fever, and other diseases [3][4][5]. The incidence of pharyngitis has reached 20%-50% according to the epidemiological statistics [6,7]. Pharyngitis is a common upper respiratory tract disease in adults with long course of disease and stubborn symptom which are difficult to cure.…”