Streptococcus Streptococcus is a type of bacterium characterized by a round shape and develops in pairs or pairs, it also has a dark purple or blue color when viewed under the microscope, as well as Gram-positive bacteria.
A large part of streptococcus species can be found in the body without causing any disease, however, due to certain situations, there may be an imbalance between the different species of microorganisms found in the human body, thus generating the proliferation of this type of bacteria, which could cause serious diseases if not treated at the same time.
Depending on the type of strep that develops, the disease that causes the symptoms may vary:
Pyogenes strep, also known as beta-hemolytic streptococcus of group A or S. pyogenes, is the most pathogenic to humans, even though it constitutes its natural reservoir; this bacterium is mainly present in the mouth and throat, as well as being in the airways.
How contagious it is: Streptococcus pyogenes can be easily transmitted from person to person by insects, secretions such as starlings and coughing, sharing huts or by contact with the secretion of hereditary infected people.
Diseases that can cause: one of the main diseases caused by S. pyogenes is pharyngitis, as well as scarlet fever, skin infections such as impetus and erysipela, in addition to rheumatic and tissue necrosis Acute rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease characterized by the body attacking its own immune system and may occur after infection with this bacteria.
Common symptoms: symptoms of S infection. Piogenes vary depending on the disease, however the symptom with the most persistent sore throat and occurring more than 2 times a year, the identification of the infection is performed by laboratory tests, mainly by examining the antiestreptolysin O (ASLO), which allows the identification of antibodies produced against these bacteria. See what ASLO is all about.
How it is treated: treatment will depend on the disease caused by the bacteria, but mainly achieved with the use of antibiotics such as penicillin and erythromycin, it is important that treatment is performed under medical supervision, as it is common in these bacteria to acquire resistance mechanisms, which could hinder treatment, leading to serious health complications.
Streptococcus agalactiae, S. agalactiae, group B Streptococcus are bacteria that can be easily found in the lower gastrointestinal tract, in the female urinary and genital system and can cause serious infections in newborns.
How to infect: Bacteria are naturally present in women’s vaginas and can contaminate amniotic fluid and be sucked into by the baby during childbirth. Learn more about Group B strep on board.
Diseases that can cause: S. agalactiae can cause abortions, amniotic fluid infection, septsis during childbirth, pneumonia and meningitis, for example.
Common symptoms: the presence of this bacteria usually causes no symptoms, but it could be identified a few weeks before delivery so that prophylactic measures can be taken to prevent infection in the newborn during childbirth; in infants, it could be identified through the presence of characteristics such as changes in levels of consciousness, cyanosis and apnea, which may appear hours after delivery or until the next few days.
How it is treated: Treatment is usually done with the use of antibiotics, although they are most often indicated by the doctor Penicillin, Cephalosporin, Erythromycin and Chloranfenicol. Learn more about the treatment of Streptococcus agalactiae.
Streptococcus pneumoniae or S. pneumoniae or pneumococcci can be found in adults’ airways, but less frequently in children.
Diseases that can be caused: I am responsible for diseases such as otitis, sinusitis, meningitis and mainly pneumonia.
Common symptoms: being the main disease caused by this microorganism, symptoms are usually respiratory, because it is difficult to breathe, breathe faster than normal and excessive fatigue, for example. Contains other symptoms of pneumonia.
Treatment: treatment is done with the use of antibiotics, which should be recommended by the doctor such as penicillin, chloranphenicol, erythromycin, sulfamethoxazole-trimetoliph and tetracycline.
Streptococcus viridans, also known as S. viridans, is found mainly in the oral cavity and pharyne and has a protective function, preventing the development of other bacteria, such as S. Pyogenes.
Streptococcus mitis, belonging to the S. viridans group, is present on the surface of teeth and mucous membranes, which can be identified by the presence of dental plaque, these bacteria can enter the bloodstream and become scarce when tooth extraction is performed, especially when the tooth is inflamed; However, in healthy people these bacteria are easily eliminated in the bloodstream, but when the person presents risks such as atherosclerosis, intravenous drug use or heart problems, bacteria can develop in a certain part of the body, for example causing endocarditis.
Streptococcus mutans, which also belongs to the group of S. viridans, is mainly present in tooth enamel and its presence in patients is directly related to the amount of sugar consumed, being the main culprit of cavity formation.
The identification of streptococcus bacteria infection is performed in the laboratory by specific tests, the doctor will indicate, depending on the symptoms presented by the person, the equipment that will be sent to the laboratory for blood tests, throat secretion. , vaginal discharge, for example.
Specific tests are performed in the laboratory to indicate that the bacteria responsible for the infection are Streptococcus, as well as other problems that allow the identification of bacterial species, which is important for the doctor to complete the diagnosis. the species, biochemical tests are performed to check the sensitivity profile of bacteria, to decide, to check the best antibiotics to fight infections.