Beta-haemolytic Group A, B, C and G Streptococcal Septicaemia: A Clinical Study

Abstract

87 beta-haemolytic streptococcal septicaemias in adult patients during 1979-86 in a university hospital were reviewed. 25% were caused by group A streptococcus, 17% by group B, 14% by group C and 44% by group G streptococcus. 67% of the septicaemias due to group B streptococcus were nosocomial, whereas the group A, C or G septicaemias were in most cases community-acquired. Alcoholism was the most common underlying disease in group A (32%) and malignancy in group G streptococcal septicaemias (45%). The most common origin and focus of infection in group A, C and G streptococcal septicaemias was the skin. The total mortality in beta-haemolytic streptococcal septicaemias was 20%, higher in septicaemias caused by group A (32%) and group B (33%) than by group C (17%) and group G (8%) streptococci. Nevertheless, there were more patients in group G streptococcal septicaemias with severe underlying diseases than in other groups of beta-haemolytic streptococci. The present data seem to indicate that a septicaemia due to group G is a more benign disease than a septicaemia due to group A streptococcus.

Group G Beta-Hemolytic Streptococcal Bacteremia Characterized by 16S Ribosomal RNA Gene Sequencing

“…The epidemiology of group G beta-hemolytic streptococcal bacteremia in Hong Kong was found to be similar to that reported in previous studies (2,8,10,16,19). Most patients were old, with a predominance of males.…”

“…In one study, group G streptococci were shown to be the most common cause of beta-hemolytic streptococcal bacteremia (16). It has been reported that diabetes mellitus (DM), malignancy, cardiovascular disease, bone and joint diseases, and cirrhosis are the major underlying diseases in patients with group G beta-hemolytic streptococcal bacteremia (2,8,10,16,19). However, little is known about the relative importance of the various species and thus the source of bacteria causing bacteremia, the usefulness of commercial kits in identifying the species, and the factors that determine the outcome for patients with group G betahemolytic streptococcal bacteremia.…”

“…The reservoirs of S. dysgalactiae subspecies equisimilis and S. milleri are humans, whereas those of S. canis and S. intestinalis are dogs and pigs, respectively. In one study, group G streptococci were shown to be the most common cause of beta-hemolytic streptococcal bacteremia (16). It has been reported that diabetes mellitus (DM), malignancy, cardiovascular disease, bone and joint diseases, and cirrhosis are the major underlying diseases in patients with group G beta-hemolytic streptococcal bacteremia (2,8,10,16,19).…”

Streptococcus dysgalactiae Subspecies Equisimilis; An Agent Rarely Encountered in the Etiology of Septic Arthritis

“…On the other hand, SDSE infections are very rare, encountered in the community at a rate of 0.003-0.006% and among hospitalized patients with a rate of 0.02-0.07% as the cause of acute non-gonococcal bacterial arthritis (2,5). Most patients with SDSE bacteremia are reported to be the elderly and males, with 74-100% rates having an underlying disease (6,7).…”

Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis-Related Peritonitis Associated with Lancefield Group G Beta-Hemolytic Streptococcus: Report of Two Cases Requiring Tenckhoff Catheter Removal

“…Although it has been shown in various studies that group G beta-hemolytic streptococci are the commonest cause of beta-hemolytic bacteremia in some parts of the world (12,16), relatively little is known about the other diseases caused by group G beta-hemolytic streptococci versus those caused by group A or group B beta-hemolytic streptococci. In our recent study, we showed that 52, 26, and 12% of patients with group G beta-hemolytic streptococcal bacteremia had primary bacteremia, cellulitis, and bed sore or wound infection, respectively, and that the remaining 10% had infective endocarditis, pneumonia, abscess, and septic arthritis (16).…”