Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of 192 group B streptococcal isolates from patients with invasive disease demonstrated that 31 (16%) were resistant to erythromycin and 17 (9%) were resistant to clindamycin. One isolate demonstrated high-level resistance to streptomycin, but none was highly resistant to gentamicin. Erythromycin and clindamycin are no longer reliable empirical alternatives t...

given over 30-60 minutes. The patency of infarct-related artery (IRA) is approximately 50-60% while the rate of reocclusion is approximately 5-20%.2,3 Rheumatic fever and streptococcal infection are still prevalent in developing countries, which results in high antistreptokinase (ASK) titer in patients who sustained a previous streptococcal Ahmed M. Abuosa, MD, MRCP, Fawaz Akhras, FRCP, Khaled ...

A retrospective analysis of 7 patients with streptococcal toxic shock revealed isolated prolongation of the activated partial thromboplastin time, which returned to normal during recovery. Levels of factor XII were reduced in 2 patients who had single factor assays performed, consistent with activation of the kallikrein-kinin system. We speculate that bradykinin release following activation of ...

Since the mid-1980s, concern has grown that invasive group A Streptococci (GAS) has been increasing in incidence and severity. Invasive infections caused by group A Streptococcus or Streptococcus pyogenes include sepsis, arthritis, pneumonia, meningitis, necrotizing fasciitis (NF) and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS). GAS also causes noninvasive suppurative disease as pharyngitis and o...

The structural gene encoding streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin type B, designated speB, was cloned in Escherichia coli and localized onto a 4.5-kilobase BamHI-BglII DNA fragment. Streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin type B, partially purified from E. coli clones, was immunologically related to streptococcus-derived toxin. Also, toxin derived from either E. coli or Streptococcus pyogenes had similar ...