INTRODUCTION Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome is a complication of group A streptococcal infection, most often originating from the skin. The syndrome is characterized by fever, hypotension and multiple organ failure. Mortality rate may be as high as 80%. CASE PRESENTATION A 25-year-old man of Indian origin presented with abdominal complaints, rash and fever after an episode of pharyngitis....

An impressive change in the epidemiology and severity of invasive group A streptococcal infections occurred in the 1980s, and the incidence of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome cases continues to rise. The reason for the resurgence of severe invasive cases remains a mystery-has there been a change in the pathogen or in host protective immunity? To address these questions, we have studied 33 pa...

Much evidence supports the concept that immunity to Group A streptococcal infection is type-specific; that is, that recovery from infection with one type of Group A streptococcus results in immunity to that type only. The M protein antigen in Group A streptococcal cell walls determines the serologic type specificity of various strains and is an important factor associated with strain virulence....

All 110 rabbits immunized with Group A, A-variant, and C streptococcal vaccines produced 19S anti-IgG in addition to antibodies to the streptococcal carbohydrates. 19S anti-IgG was detected by hemagglutination of rabbit red blood cells coated with rabbit anti-blood group F antibody. Antisera of 88 of these animals were also tested for 7S anti-IgG with a coprecipitation assay. This assay is base...

Toxic shock-like syndrome (TSLS) is characterized by hypotension or shock, fever, multiorgan system involvement, and a concurrent group A streptococcal infection. We analyzed 34 streptococcal strains isolated from patients with clinically well-documented TSLS for their pyrogenic toxin profiles and M-protein types. Although strains of nine different M types were represented in the sample, 74% of...

Puerperal group A streptococcal infections, a major postpartum killer during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, have become (fortunately) rare. We describe a cluster of 4 serious peripartum group A streptococcal infections occurring within the past five years at a single medical center. These cases were not epidemiologically linked and serve to illustrate the continuing risk of these poten...

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of fluoridated elastomeric ligatures on the microbiology of local dental plaque in vivo. This randomized, prospective, longitudinal, clinical trial had a split-mouth crossover design. The subjects were 30 patients at the beginning of their treatment with fixed orthodontic appliances in the orthodontic departments of the Liverpool and the...

Gene mutations in the virulence regulator CovR/S of group A Streptococcus play a substantial role in the pathogenesis of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. We screened 25 group B Streptococcus (GBS) isolates obtained from patients with streptococcal toxic shock syndrome and found only 1 GBS clone harboring this kind of mutation.

the purpose of this study was to determine the role of streptococcal m protein in naturally-occurring cd4+cd25+ regulatory t cells (ntregs) function and development in rheumatic heart disease in iraqi patients. streptococcus pyogenes was isolated for subsequent m protein extraction. also, peripheral blood ntregs and cd4+ t cells were isolated by using magnetic cell separation system. tissue cul...

Abstract Background Streptococcal infections are associated with life-threatening pneumonia and sepsis. The rise in antibiotic resistance calls for novel approaches to treat bacterial diseases. Anti-virulence strategies promote a natural way of pathogen clearance by eliminating the advantage provided bacteria their virulence factors. In contrast antibiotics, anti-virulence agents less likely ex...