Contrasting molecular epidemiology of group A streptococci causing tropical and nontropical infections of the skin and throat. (1/59)

Disease caused by group A streptococci (GAS) in tropical regions often takes the form of impetigo, whereas pharyngitis tends to predominate in temperate zones. GAS derived from asymptomatic throat infections and pyoderma lesions of rural Aboriginal Australians were evaluated for phylogenetic distant emm genes, which represent ecological markers for tissue site preference. On the basis of the percentage of total isolates from a given tissue, emm pattern A-C organisms exhibited a stronger predilection for the throat, whereas pattern D organisms preferred the skin. Only 16% of isolates collected by active surveillance displayed pattern A-C, which reflects the low incidence of oropharyngeal infection. Importantly, most (70%) pattern A-C organisms were isolated from skin sores, despite their innate tendency to infect the throat. Combined with findings from nontropical populations, analysis of the data supports the hypothesis that GAS tissue preferences are genetically predetermined and that host risk factors for infection strongly influence the differential reproduction of individual clones.  (+info)

A new M-type of group A streptococcus of clinical importance in pyoderma and pharyngitis. (2/59)

A new M-type of group A streptococcus, provisionally designated type 65, is described. The vaccine and other initially isolated strains of this type attracted attention because of the T-agglutination reactions 2/25, not previously encountered among pyoderma streptococci. The investigations characterizing the strains as members of a new type were done with streptococci isolated from patients with pyoderma. However, type 65 was subsequently found to cause both pyoderma and acute pharyngitis. The T-2 agglutination reactions encountered with original members of this type, plus the cross-reactions later seen with type 65 antiserum and M-type 2 streptococci, prompted a comparison of this new type with M-type 2 streptococci, including those with the T-2 agglutination and others with the 8-25-Imp. 19 complex. The two M-antigens were clearly distinguished from one another in reciprocal bactericidal and precipitin tests with absorbed antisera. They were further distinguished in that all type 65 strains were opacity-factor (OF) negative, whereas type 2 streptococci were uniformly OF-positive. Most M-type 65 strains subsequently found in surveillance studies were shown to be members of the 8-25-Imp,19 T-complex. Type 65 is thus a newly described type which shares with M-types 55 and 57 a commom T-agglutination pattern and, like members of these types, fails to produce opacity factor. In our colleciton of strains, from both pyoderma and pharyngitis, shown to be members of the 8-25-Imp. 19 complex, and OF-negative, only type 65 has been identified to date. In contrast to types 55 and 57, the new type 65 does not appear to be of major importance in causing acute glomerulonephritis.  (+info)

Streptococcal pyoderma of the penis following fellatio. (3/59)

Gonococcal pharyngitis has been correlated with fellatio in both heterosexual females and homosexual males. This report describes another complication of fellatio, group A beta-eaemolytic streptococcal pyroderma on the penis after exposure to a male who probably had pharyngitis. the erythematous, purulent lesions should be cultured. After the organism has been identified, adequate treatment with either a long-acting parenteral penicillin or a 10-day course of oral penicillin is important in order to prevent the possible life-threatening complication of post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis.  (+info)

Generalized seborrhoeic dermatitis. Clinical and therapeutic data of 25 patients. (4/59)

Twenty-five infants with generalized seborrhoeic dermatitis have been studied with reference to the provision of optimum treatment. Leucocyte counts and chest x-ray examination are recommended in every case. Irrespective of clinical findings, antibiotics should be given to patients with overt bacterial infection and those with leucocytosis, shift to the left, and toxic granulation. One group of infants was treated with vitamin B complex plus biotin given slowly intravenously over 24 hours; a second group was given only biotin intravenously over 2-3 hours; and a third group only biotin over 1-2 minutes. A fourth group was treated with both biotin and antibiotics for confirmed or suspected superimposed bacterial infection. The results were excellent in all groups. Skin lesions improved within 4-8 days and cleared completely within 15-30 days. Intravenous administration of biotin is recommended as less painful and less dangerous than multiple intramuscular injections.  (+info)

Benefits of swimming pools in two remote Aboriginal communities in Western Australia: intervention study. (5/59)

OBJECTIVE: To determine the health impact of swimming pools built with the aim of improving quality of life and reducing high rates of pyoderma and otitis media. DESIGN: Intervention study assessing prevalence of ear disease and skin infections before and at six monthly intervals after opening of swimming pools. SETTING: Two remote Aboriginal communities in Western Australia. PARTICIPANTS: 84 boys and 78 girls aged < 17 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes in prevalence and severity of pyoderma and perforation of tympanic membranes with or without otorrhoea over 18 months after opening of pools. RESULTS: In community A, 61 children were seen before the pool was opened, and 41, 46, and 33 children were seen at the second, third, and fourth surveys. Equivalent figures for community B were 60, 35, 39, and 45. Prevalence of pyoderma declined significantly from 62% to 18% in community A and from 70% to 20% in community B during the 18 months after the pools opened. Over the same period, prevalence of severe pyoderma fell from 30% to 15% in community A and from 48% to 0% in community B. Prevalence of perforations of the tympanic membrane fell from 32% in both communities to 13% in community A and 18% in community B. School attendance improved in community A. CONCLUSION: Swimming pools in remote communities were associated with reduction in prevalence of pyoderma and tympanic membrane perforations, which could result in long term benefits through reduction in chronic disease burden and improved educational and social outcomes.  (+info)

Biotypes of group A streptococci isolated from children. (6/59)

Thirty-eight isolates of group A streptococci from patients with pharyngitis, 13 isolates from patients with pyoderma and 28 carrier strains were subjected to biotyping by carbohydrate fermentation tests and production of beta-glucuronidase. Biotype 10 was observed most frequently among clinical isolates and biotypes 3 and 4 were most common among carrier isolates.  (+info)

Pattern of pediatric dermatoses in a referral center in South India. (7/59)

This study was undertaken to determine the pattern of dermatoses in children in south India. All children <14 years presenting to us between May 2001 and June 2002 were recruited. A total of 2100 children (males -995; females- 1105) with 2144 dermatoses were recorded. Infections and infestations were the most common dermatoses (54.5%) followed by dermatitis and eczema (8.6%), pigmentary disorders (5.7%), insect bite reaction (5.27%), hair and nail disorders (5.2%), miliaria (4.1%), nutritional deficiency disorders (2.8%), urticaria (2.5%), genetic disorders (2.1%), psoriasis (1.4%), collagen vascular disorders (0.5%), hemangiomas (0.5%), drug eruptions (0.3%), pityriasis rosea (0.2%) and others (5.8%). Pyodermas were the most common dermatoses (47.13%) followed by scabies (30.6%) amongst infections and infestations. Atopic dermatitis was noticed only in 3 patients. Insect bite reactions (papular urticaria) (5.27%) and miliaria (4.1%) were attributed to the tropical weather conditions in this coastal area. Genetic disorders including ichthyosis and palmoplantar keratoderma contributed to 2.1% of cases and could be due to the high incidence of consanguinous marriages in this society.  (+info)

Invasive group A streptococcal infection in high school football players, New York City, 2003. (8/59)

After being notified that 2 high school football teammates from New York City were hospitalized with confirmed or suspected invasive group A streptococcal infections, we conducted an investigation of possible spread among other team members. This investigation highlights a need for guidelines on management of streptococcal and other infectious disease outbreaks in team sport settings.  (+info)