Streptococcal rash. Streptococcal infections: symptoms, treatment

Unfortunately, no person is immune from damage to the body by pathogenic microorganisms. There are a great many of them. In particular, among huge amount of gram-positive bacteria, the most common causative agents of infectious diseases are group A streptococci. Unlike other varieties of streptococci, the structure of the cell walls of these bacteria has its own structural features. They are round-shaped microorganisms that reproduce in pairs or form colonies that resemble an elongated chain.

Diseases and transmission routes

Streptococci belonging to group A cause very severe infectious diseases: pneumonia, pharyngitis, scarlet fever, endocarditis, glomerulonephritis, rheumatism, postpartum sepsis, perinatal infections and many others. This bacterium enters the mucous membranes, skin, and human intestines, multiplies, and then penetrates the blood, affecting various organs. Streptococcus can be transmitted from a sick person in different ways - through airborne droplets, sexual contact, nutrition (through food) or contact (through dirty hands). Moreover, most often the cause of infection is failure to comply with basic hygiene rules.

Beta-hemolytic streptococcus

Among other varieties of these bacteria belonging to group A, beta-hemolytic streptococcus is considered the most dangerous for the human body. Most people suffering from sore throat, pharyngitis, and otitis media “caught” this particular streptococcal infection. Beta-hemolytic streptococcus is distinguished by its structural features, effects on the immune system, and functional activity. If you look at this microbe through a microscope, you can see interlocking balls, reminiscent of beads strung on a thread. In general, streptococci are classified by their ability to destroy red blood cells - erythrocytes. Thus, an alpha-hemolytic bacterium destroys blood cells only partially, a gamma-hemolytic infection does not in any way disrupt the structure of red blood cells, and a beta-hemolytic streptococcus, belonging to group A, causes complete destruction (hemolysis) of red blood cells.

As for the letters of the Latin alphabet denoting one or another group of beta-hemolytic streptococcus, they determine the type of structure of the cell membranes of these bacteria. Streptococci, representing the group A family, are characterized by a certain composition of the environment, pH, antigenic properties, and the ability to reproduce under different temperature conditions. Some experts prefer to use another Latin name for beta-hemolytic streptococcus of this group - Streptococcus pyogenes (pyogenic). At their core, both terms are synonymous.

In addition to the above diseases, this pathogenic microorganism can cause a number of other infectious and inflammatory pathologies. These include streptoderma, myositis (inflammation of skeletal muscles), fasciitis (pain in the heels), meningitis, cervical (submandibular) phlegmon, peritonsillar abscess (purulent inflammation of the tonsils). To identify the presence of group A streptococcal infection, a bacteriological blood test is performed, a skin scraping and a throat swab are taken.

Treatment of group A streptococcal infections

If this infectious pathogen is detected in the body of a sick person, antibacterial therapy is prescribed. For this purpose, antibiotics from the medicinal groups penicillins, oxacillins, cephalosporins, as well as erythromycin are used. Strains of group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal infection are constantly changing and becoming resistant to certain medications, so it is important to choose the right medicine. Antibiotics of the penicillin group (for example, benzylpenicillin or ampicillin) cope better with this bacterium than others, but they cause allergic reactions in many people. In such cases, doctors usually opt for erythromycin-type drugs. By the way, if the cause of the disease is beta-hemolytic streptococcus of another group (serotype), then treatment with antibacterial agents is not always required. Quite often, the body’s immune forces are able to cope with the infection on their own. In any case, after suffering from an illness caused by group A streptococcus, the human body develops so-called type-specific immunity against strains of this particular infectious pathogen.

Preventive measures to protect yourself from group A streptococcal infection are well known: observe the rules of personal hygiene, strengthen the immune system, and wear gauze bandages during the epidemiological period. Take care of yourself!

Bacteria of the Streptococcaceae family are gram-positive coccal forms of microorganisms with a facultative anaerobic type of respiration. They are opportunistic bacteria for humans and animals. Entering the human body with food, they colonize the respiratory and digestive tracts, dermis and external genitalia, without leading to the development of an inflammatory process.

When the body's natural defenses are weakened, microbial cells begin to multiply, their virulence increases and they become capable of causing various diseases. Bacteria are able to penetrate the bloodstream, spreading to all organs and tissues (dissemination of infection), causing the development of sepsis, the appearance of distant purulent foci, etc.

At this stage, the patient is dangerous to others due to possible transmission of the pathogen by airborne droplets.

According to statistics, in countries with a temperate climate, streptococcal infections are most common compared to other bacterial diseases. On average, the inflammatory process is observed in 10-15 people per 100 clinical cases.

As noted earlier, group B streptococci are the most dangerous for humans, as they are causative agents of various pathological conditions. The main routes of transmission of streptococcal infection include:

• infected wounds and scratches on the skin;
• airborne infection (the source of infection is streptococcus carriers in the nasopharynx);
• contact and household transmission route through personal items of use of the carrier;
• concomitant diseases that contribute to a decrease in immunity and the development of opportunistic microflora against this background. For example, diabetes, HIV, STDs and others.

A distinctive characteristic of streptococcal infection is frequent asymptomatic carriage and ignorance of the development of the pathological process in the early stages.

Symptoms of streptococcal pathologies

At the site of localization of streptococcal infection, a focus of inflammation is formed, accompanied by purulent and serous discharge. Symptoms of streptococcal infection are determined by the location of the outbreak.

With streptococcal pyoderma, pustular rashes are noted, with otitis - ear pain, suppuration from the ear, hearing loss, with pharyngitis - sore throat, purulent plaque on the tonsils, etc.

General symptoms of the development of streptococcal infection in the patient’s body may be

• heat;
• headache;
• general weakness;
• muscle joint pain;
• dizziness;
• nausea;
• decreased appetite;
• bloating, etc.

There are known cases of the development of allergic reactions to streptococcal infection, during which a pathological disruption of the human immune system occurs.

It should also be noted that the danger is posed not only by acute streptococcal infection, but also by its long-term complications (rheumatism, arthritis, myocarditis, heart defects).

Therefore, immediately after diagnosing a streptococcal infection, immediate treatment is required.

Diseases caused by streptococci

The main diseases caused by streptococcal infections in the patient:

• – an infectious process characteristic mainly of pediatric patients. Accompanied by high fever, intoxication symptoms, pinpoint rashes, and the appearance of a granular “raspberry” tongue (due to hyperplasia of the papillae). The disease develops as a result of hemolytic streptococcus entering the body; therapy consists of treatment with antibiotics;
• acute form() – inflammation of the surface of the tonsils, caused by streptococcal or staphylococcal infection, less often by other pathogenic microorganisms. The pathology is characterized by increased body temperature, a dense white coating on the surface of the tonsils, headaches, sore throat, hyperemia of the posterior pharyngeal wall and enlarged cervical and submandibular lymph nodes. To relieve a sore throat, antibiotics are used for streptococcus in the throat, which have a narrow spectrum of activity. Long-term complications of streptococcal infection can manifest as damage to the heart, joints, etc.;
• otitis media– a disease accompanied by the development of an inflammatory process in the middle ear cavity. The main symptoms of otitis media are pain in the ear, suppuration from the ear, a feeling of ear fullness, hearing loss, and increased body temperature.
• osteomyelitis– purulent-necrotic inflammation of the bone, bone marrow and surrounding soft tissues. In the absence of adequate and timely treatment, sepsis develops, which can be fatal.

Antibiotic therapy for streptococci

Treating streptococcal infections with antibiotics is the preferred choice of therapy. As a rule, it is as a result of a streptococcal infection that autoimmune diseases are formed, aimed at destroying the body’s own cells and tissues.

Only a doctor can select the right antibiotics for streptococcal infections, after establishing an accurate diagnosis. At the first stage, it is necessary to undergo a laboratory examination aimed at isolating and identifying the causative agent of the disease. A smear is taken from the site of inflammation and culture is performed. Grown strains of microorganisms are identified to species, less often to genus. At the second stage, the sensitivity of the resulting bacterial strains to various groups of antibiotics is determined.

It has been established that the most effective medications against bacteria of the Streptococcaceae family are antibiotics of the penicillin and cephalosporin group.

The mechanism of action of penicillins is based on disruption of the permeability of the cell wall of prokaryotes, as a result of which a large number of foreign substances and the cell dies. Penicillins are most effective against growing and dividing cells.

The drugs of choice are:

• benzylpenicillin ® ;
• phenoxymethylpenicillin ® ;

The use of an inhibitor-protected drug, amoxilava ® (amoxicillin ® in combination with clavulanic acid), is highly effective.

Contraindications to the use of penicillins are individual intolerance to the drug (allergy), severe pathologies of the kidneys and liver. In this case, antibiotics of the group are prescribed.

However, it should be borne in mind that some cephalosporins have an allergic cross-reaction with penicillins. Therefore, before using them, it is necessary to take an allergy test.

Cephalosporins inhibit the biosynthesis of murein in microorganisms. As a result, an inferior cell wall is formed. Such a pathology is not compatible with the normal functioning of the cell.

Features of antibiotic therapy for streptococcal diseases

It is important that the course of antibiotic therapy is prescribed by the attending physician. The formation of a high level of resistance to antibacterial drugs in bacteria of the Streptococcaceae family has been noted. Therefore, independent choice of drug therapy and uncontrolled use of antibiotics is unacceptable.

As a rule, at the first stage of treatment, the doctor prescribes a broad-spectrum antibiotic, since it is necessary to quickly relieve the patient’s serious condition and eliminate the symptoms of the disease. After laboratory diagnostics, the course of treatment can be adjusted (if necessary, drugs with a narrow spectrum of action that are active against specific types and strains of bacteria are prescribed).

On the question of the study and classification of streptococci

During the era of the bacteriological stage of the development of microbiology, coccal forms of bacteria located in chains were described by many scientists. Billroth in 1874 proposed calling this group of bacteria streptococci. They received their binary Latin name, according to the rules of Linnaeus’s nomenclature, in 1881.

For a long time, there was no unified classification of this group of bacteria, since the large number of species and their insufficient knowledge did not allow coming to a consensus. It is known that the composition of the cell wall can include proteins and polysaccharides of different chemical structures. According to this criterion, streptococci are divided into 27 groups.

Each group is assigned a Latin letter of the alphabet. It is known that group A streptococci are the most common among representatives of the indigenous microflora of the human body. Group B streptococci are among the most pathogenic; their presence causes the development of sepsis and pneumonia in newborns.

Later, another classification was developed, which is based on the ability of streptococci to destruct (hemolyze) red blood cells. According to this classification, developed by Schottmuller and Brown, bacteria of the Streptococcaceae family are divided into 3 main groups:

• Alpha hemolytic – partially destroys red blood cells;
• Beta-hemolytic – cause complete hemolysis. It is noted that this group is characterized by the greatest pathogenicity;
• Gamma-hemolytic - are not capable of subjecting red blood cells to hemolysis. Safe for humans.

This classification is the most convenient in terms of practical application and classification of streptococci.

Streptococcus- These are opportunistic microorganisms that are constantly present in the human body. There are different types of microbes, and some cause serious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory system, and genitourinary organs. Streptococcal infection is always at the source of the purulent process, and can migrate through the circulatory system, already representing a danger to humans.

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Streptococcus begins to manifest itself during a weakening of the immune system, it becomes more active and becomes a source of various infectious diseases.

Under a microscope, bacteria resemble beads and are oval in shape. Today, about 40 types of microorganisms have been identified, and they are divided into groups - from group A to V streptococci.

Types of microorganisms

The most dangerous to humans are group A streptococci, and they are divided into 3 groups:

1. Gamma streptococci.
2. Beta-hemolytic.
3. Alpha greening.

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These microorganisms can cause the following diseases:

• genitourinary system infections;
• endocarditis, lymphadenitis;
• dental diseases, stomatitis and periodontitis;
• meningitis, sepsis, abscess;
• bacterial pneumonia, bronchitis and others.

Etiology of streptococcal infection

Streptococcal infection is transmitted from a sick person or a healthy carrier.

There are several ways of infection:

• airborne - the microorganism enters from a sick person through the mucous membranes, when sneezing, coughing, talking;
• contact-household - streptococcal infection penetrates through household items, bedding, toys, dishes, this is possible through small cuts on the skin;
• vertical – during childbirth;
• sexual.

The cause of infection can be either contact with a sick person or a decrease in immunity when opportunistic bacteria begin to activate in the body.

The most common route of infection is airborne; streptococcus enters through the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract. At the site of localization of pathological microorganisms, an inflammatory process begins with the formation of purulent or serous exudate.

In severe cases, streptococcus can cause a necrotic process, sepsis develops, and the bacterium causes death. Microorganisms begin to secrete toxins that spread through the lymphatic and circulatory systems, which causes damage to internal organs.

Clinical manifestations

Different types of infection give different symptoms; common symptoms include fever, headache, deterioration in general health, nausea and vomiting.

Some people develop an allergic syndrome, which can result in damage to the kidneys, joints, and heart.

Erysipelas

This disease occurs due to infection with group A hemolytic streptococcus. The infection can affect the face, lower and upper extremities. More often, the pathology occurs in older women.

Symptoms of erysipelas:

• a strong increase in body temperature up to 40 degrees;
• burning sensation of the skin, itching, swelling;
• severe weakness and chills;
• muscle pain, migraine;
• the appearance of red spots that rise above healthy skin.

With erysipelas, a serious inflammatory process of the skin begins, erythema begins to form on the face, arms or legs. There are several forms of the disease, and treatment of streptococcal infections is with antibiotics and topical remedies.

Scarlet fever

The disease begins against the background of infection with streptococcus. Scarlet fever manifests itself as a sharp increase in body temperature, a sign of intoxication appears, the palatine tonsils become inflamed, tonsillitis and tonsillitis develop. Primary symptoms of streptococcal infection manifest themselves in the form of headache, chills, and weakness. A small dotted rash appears on the skin. Dermatological signs spread on the torso and arms within 5-10 hours. Maximum manifestations begin on the third day after the infection worsens.

Angina

When a person has immunity to scarlet fever, a sore throat develops. This is an inflammatory disease affecting the palatine tonsils; treatment of streptococcus in this case involves the use of antibacterial drugs. Untimely therapy can lead to complications such as damage to the kidneys, heart, and respiratory system.

The cause of infection is reduced immunity and the presence of favorable conditions for the proliferation of pathological microorganisms. Risk factors include hypothermia, long-term treatment with antibacterial drugs, and temperature changes. Streptococcus enters the body on the mucous membrane of the larynx and begins to multiply.

Sore throat occurs in several forms:

• catarrhal;
• necrotic;
• follicular;
• lacunar.

The lack of sufficient body protection allows bacteria to penetrate the tonsils and surrounding tissues. This can result in the development of tonsillitis, abscess and even sepsis.

Streptococcus toxins can spread from the tonsils through the circulatory system, affecting internal organs, thermoregulation is disrupted, the liver, kidneys, and blood vessels suffer. The incubation period for sore throat lasts 1-2 days, then acute manifestations begin.

Symptoms of acute sore throat caused by streptococcal infection:

• chills that last from a few minutes to a day;
• muscle pain appears, joints ache;
• severe headache begins;
• The patient experiences weakness, lack of appetite and apathy.

Specific symptoms of infection– pain in the throat, sore throat, which intensifies when swallowing and talking. The peak of the disease is severe symptoms on the second day. A white coating begins to form on the tonsils, and purulent blisters appear, which are the source of streptococcal infection.

Blood poisoning

Sepsis– this is the most severe disease that can be caused by group A streptococcus. This is the limit of the activity of pathological microorganisms. This disease most often affects people with weakened immune systems. Infection occurs from a localized source of infection when streptococcus enters the blood.

Group A streptococcus migrates through the circulatory system to the liver, brain, joints and other internal organs, where ulcers form.

The disease can occur chronically for several years, and the patient constantly feels weak and has chronic fatigue. The acute process gives immediate symptoms of intoxication, and then the streptococcal infection must be treated immediately, otherwise it may be fatal.

Osteomyelitis

Streptococcal infection can cause bone damage. This happens very rarely, in about 4-8% of cases. People with pre-existing bone diseases are susceptible to this. The disease manifests itself in the form of a severe inflammatory process with damage to the bone marrow. As a result of the death of the bone marrow, ulcers form, which then burst out. The course of the disease is complex; it is important to promptly choose how to treat streptococcus in order to avoid serious consequences.

Read about all the difficulties of treating bone osteomyelitis at the link.

Diagnostics

Before treating streptococcus, a diagnosis is carried out. For this purpose, laboratory methods are used, and instrumental research methods are used to identify the consequences of infection.

The diagnosis of streptococcal infection is established on the basis of a pronounced clinical picture.

To confirm the disease, the following diagnostic measures are used:

• ultrasound examination of internal organs;
• general and biochemical analysis of blood and urine;
• heart examination, electrocardiography;
• X-ray of the lungs.

Bacteriological studies - tonsil smears, sputum cultures.

Differential diagnosis is carried out with the following diseases:

• diphtheria and mononucleosis;
• rubella and measles;
• dermatitis and eczema.

A sore throat caused by streptococcus may resemble mononucleosis and diphtheria in its external manifestations. Erysipelas is similar in clinical manifestations to eczema and dermatitis. Scarlet fever should be distinguished from measles and rubella.

Treatment

Streptococcus can be cured with antibacterial drugs. Treatment is carried out by a doctor, depending on the form of the disease caused by the microorganism. A dermatologist will deal with erysipelas, a surgeon will treat osteomyelitis, phlegmon and abscess, a urologist will treat patients with genitourinary infections.

Treatment of the cause consists of prescribing penicillin antibiotics:

• oxacillin, ampicillin;
• amoxicillin, benzylpencillin;
• bicillin and others.

Streptococcus does not become resistant to these antibacterial drugs, which is why they are successfully used in treatment.

Antibiotics are administered muscularly or orally, depending on the severity of the infectious process. An approximate course of treatment is to administer the drug 4 times a day for 5-10 days.

During the treatment period, it is important to follow general recommendations for strengthening the body:

• take vitamin supplements and ascorbic acid to strengthen blood vessels and increase the protective mechanism;
• drink at least three liters of liquid per day, including tea and food;
• regularly take combination drugs - Theraflu, Coldrex, which will help cope with the symptoms of the disease.

For sore throat and other infections with catarrhal manifestations, it is important to use local medications. For a sore throat, antiseptic rinses are performed, and for erysipelas, dressings with an antibiotic are used. Before treating a streptococcal infection, it is important to start following a diet. Food should be rich in vitamins and minerals. The menu necessarily includes protein foods and limits the consumption of heavy foods so that the body spends less energy on its absorption.

Prevention

Prevention of streptococcal infection is aimed at early identification of the bacterium and treatment of the cause. Sanitary and preventive measures are mandatory in medical, educational, preschool institutions and various organizations.

General prevention of streptococcus includes:

• elimination of foci of bacterial infection - early hospitalization of patients with moderate and severe forms of the disease;
• observation of patients after suffering acute forms of infection for 3 months in case of erysipelas, after tonsillitis - 15 days, in case of scarlet fever - 25 days;
• Return to normal life is possible only on the 12th day after recovery and discharge from the hospital.

Timely adoption of preventive measures and established measures makes it possible to stop the spread of primary and secondary forms of streptococcal infection.

Streptococcus is one of those pathogenic microbes that are normally found in the microflora of any person. The bacterium lives on the mucous membrane of the nose and pharynx, in the respiratory tract, large intestine and genitourinary organs, and for the time being does not cause any harm to its owner. Streptococcal infections occur only in conditions of weakened immunity, hypothermia, or a large number of an unfamiliar strain of pathogens entering the body at once.

Not all varieties of streptococci are dangerous to human health; moreover, this group even contains microbes that are beneficial. The very fact of bacterial carriage should not become a cause for alarm, because it is almost impossible to avoid it, just as it is impossible to completely eradicate streptococcus from your body. A strong immune system and adherence to basic rules of personal hygiene give every reason to expect that the disease will bypass you.

However, everyone is concerned about the question of what to do if you or your loved ones do get sick: what medications to take, and what complications to worry about. Today we will tell you absolutely everything about streptococcus and the diseases it causes, as well as methods for diagnosing and treating streptococcal infections.

What is streptococcus?

From a scientific point of view, streptococcus is a member of the Streptococcaceae family, a spherical or ovoid asporogenous gram-positive facultative anaerobic bacterium. Let's understand these complex terms and “translate” them into simple human language: streptococci have the shape of a regular or slightly elongated ball, do not form spores, do not have flagella, are not able to move, but can live in conditions of complete absence of oxygen.

If you look at streptococci through a microscope, you can see that they never occur alone - only in pairs or in the form of regular chains. In nature, these bacteria are very widespread: they are found in the soil, on the surface of plants, and on the body of animals and humans. Streptococci are very resistant to heat and freezing, and even lying in roadside dust, they retain the ability to reproduce for years. However, they can be easily defeated with the help of penicillin antibiotics, macrolides or sulfonamides.

In order for a streptococcal colony to begin to actively develop, it needs a nutrient medium in the form of serum, a sweet solution or blood. In laboratories, bacteria are artificially created favorable conditions to observe how they multiply, ferment carbohydrates, and secrete acid and toxins. A colony of streptococci forms a translucent or greenish film on the surface of a liquid or solid nutrient material. Studies of its chemical composition and properties allowed scientists to determine the pathogenicity factors of streptococcus and establish the causes of the development of streptococcal infections in humans.

Causes of streptococcal infections

The cause of almost all streptococcal infections is beta-hemolytic streptococcus, since it is the one that is capable of destroying red blood cells - erythrocytes. During their life, streptococci release a number of toxins and poisons that have a detrimental effect on the human body. This explains the unpleasant symptoms of diseases caused by streptococcus: pain, fever, weakness, nausea.

The pathogenicity factors of streptococcus are as follows:

Streptolysin is the main poison that disrupts the integrity of blood and heart cells;

Scarlet fever erythrogenin is a toxin that causes capillaries to dilate and cause a skin rash in scarlet fever;

Leukocidin is an enzyme that destroys immune blood cells - leukocytes, and thereby suppresses our natural defense against infections;

Necrotoxin and lethal toxin are poisons that cause tissue death;

Hyaluronidase, amylase, streptokinase and proteinase are enzymes with which streptococci devour healthy tissue and spread throughout the body.

At the site where the colony of streptococci invades and grows, a focus of inflammation occurs, which bothers the person with severe pain and swelling. As the disease progresses, toxins and poisons secreted by bacteria are carried through the bloodstream throughout the body, so streptococcal infections are always accompanied by general malaise, and in severe cases - large-scale intoxication, including vomiting, dehydration and clouding of consciousness. The lymphatic system reacts to the disease by engorgement of the lymph nodes located next to the source of inflammation.

Since streptococci themselves and their metabolic products are foreign to our body, the immune system reacts to them as if they were a powerful allergen and tries to produce antibodies. The most dangerous consequence of this process is autoimmune diseases, when our body stops recognizing the tissues altered by streptococcus and begins to attack them. Examples of serious complications: glomerulonephritis, rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune inflammation of the membranes of the heart (endocarditis, myocarditis, pericarditis).

Groups of streptococci

Streptococci are divided into three groups according to the type of hemolysis of red blood cells:

Alpha hemolytic or greening - Streptococcus viridans, Streptococcus pneumoniae;

Beta-hemolytic - Streptococcus pyogenes;

Non-hemolytic - Streptococcus anhaemolyticus.

For medicine, it is the second type of streptococcus, beta-hemolytic, that is important:

Streptococcus pyogenes - the so-called pyogenic streptococci, which cause sore throat in adults and scarlet fever in children, and cause serious complications in the form of glomerulonephritis, rheumatism and endocarditis;

Streptococcus pneumoniae - pneumococci, which are the main culprits of pneumonia and sinusitis;

Streptococcus faecalis and Streptococcus faecies - enterococci, the most tenacious bacteria of this family, causing purulent inflammation in the abdominal cavity and heart;

Streptococcus agalactiae is the bacteria responsible for the majority of streptococcal lesions of the genitourinary organs and postnatal inflammation of the uterine endometrium in parturient women.

As for the first and third types of streptococci, viridans and non-hemolytic, these are simply saprophytic bacteria that feed on humans, but almost never cause serious diseases because they do not have the ability to destroy red blood cells.

To be fair, it is worth mentioning a beneficial bacterium from this family – lactic acid streptococcus. With its help, dairies produce everyone’s favorite dairy products: kefir, yogurt, fermented baked milk, sour cream. The same microbe helps people with lactase deficiency - this is a rare disease expressed in a deficiency of lactase, an enzyme necessary for the absorption of lactose, that is, milk sugar. Sometimes thermophilic streptococcus is given to infants to prevent severe regurgitation.

Streptococcus in adults

In adults, beta-hemolytic streptococcus most often causes acute tonsillitis, that is, sore throat, or pharyngitis, a less serious inflammation of the upper oropharynx. Much less frequently, this bacterium causes otitis media, caries, pneumonia, dermatitis, and erysipelas.

Pharyngitis

Pharyngitis caused by streptococcus always begins suddenly, since it has a very short incubation period, and is characterized by very clear symptoms: severe pain when swallowing, low-grade (low) fever, chills and general weakness. It is so painful for the patient to swallow that sometimes he completely loses his appetite. Dyspeptic disorders rarely accompany streptococcal pharyngitis, but it is often complicated by enlarged and painful submandibular lymph nodes, hoarseness and a superficial, dry cough.

At an appointment, a general practitioner quickly diagnoses pharyngitis by visually examining the pharynx: the mucous membrane is swollen, bright red, covered with a grayish coating, the tonsils are swollen, and scarlet donut-shaped follicles are visible here and there. Streptococcal pharyngitis is almost always combined with a runny nose, and the mucus is clear and so abundant that it can cause maceration (wetting) of the skin under the nose. The patient is prescribed local antiseptics for the throat in the form of a spray or lozenges; there is no need to take antibiotics orally.

Usually this disease goes away as suddenly as it began, and does not last long - 3-6 days. The victims of pharyngitis are mainly young people, or, conversely, elderly people with weakened immune systems who have been in contact with a sick person, using his dishes or toothbrush. Although pharyngitis is considered a widespread and minor disease, it can cause very unpleasant complications.

The consequences of pharyngitis can be:

Purulent otitis media,

tonsillar abscess,

• Lymphadenitis;

• Osteomyelitis.

Angina

Streptococcal tonsillitis (acute tonsillitis) can turn into a real disaster for an adult patient, especially an elderly one, because untimely and poor-quality treatment of this disease often causes serious complications in the heart, kidneys and joints.

Factors contributing to the development of acute streptococcal tonsillitis:

Weakening of general and local immunity;

Hypothermia;

Recent history of another bacterial or viral infection;

Negative impact of external factors;

Prolonged contact with a sick person and his household items.

A sore throat begins as suddenly as pharyngitis - the night before it becomes painful for the patient to swallow, and the next morning the throat is completely covered in infection. Toxins travel through the bloodstream throughout the body, causing swollen lymph nodes, high fever, chills, weakness, anxiety, and sometimes confusion and even seizures.

Symptoms of sore throat:

Severe sore throat;

Febrile fever;

Body aches;

Headache;

Submandibular lymphadenitis;

Swelling and redness of the pharyngeal mucosa;

Enlarged tonsils;

The appearance of a loose grayish or yellowish coating on the mucous membrane of the throat, and sometimes purulent plugs;

In young children - dyspeptic disorders (diarrhea, nausea, vomiting);

Blood tests show strong leukocytosis, C-reactive protein, accelerated ESR.

There are two types of complications with streptococcal sore throat:

Purulent - otitis, sinusitis, gumboil;

Non-purulent - rheumatism, glomerulonephritis, toxic shock syndrome, myocarditis, endocarditis, pericarditis.

Treatment of sore throat is carried out with the help of local antiseptics, but if the inflammation cannot be stopped within 3-5 days, and the body is engulfed in total intoxication, it is necessary to resort to antibiotics to prevent complications.

Streptococcus in children

Streptococci are very dangerous for newborn babies: if intrauterine infection occurs, the child is born with a high fever, subcutaneous bruises, bloody discharge from the mouth, difficulty breathing, and sometimes with inflammation of the membranes of the brain. Despite high level With the development of modern perinatal medicine, it is not always possible to save such children.

All streptococcal infections in children are divided into two groups:

Primary - tonsillitis, scarlet fever, otitis media, pharyngitis, laryngitis, impetigo;

Secondary – rheumatoid arthritis, vasculitis, glomerulonephritis, endocarditis, sepsis.

The undisputed leaders in the incidence of morbidity in children are tonsillitis and scarlet fever. Some parents consider these diseases to be completely different, while some, on the contrary, confuse them with each other. In reality, scarlet fever is a severe form of streptococcal sore throat, accompanied by a skin rash.

Scarlet fever

The disease is highly contagious and spreads like wildfire among children in preschools and schools. Children usually suffer from scarlet fever between the ages of two and ten years, and only once, since a strong immunity to the disease is formed. It is important to understand that the cause of scarlet fever is not streptococcus itself, but its erythrogenic toxin, which causes severe poisoning of the body, including clouding of consciousness and a pinpoint red rash, by which a pediatrician can accurately distinguish scarlet fever from ordinary sore throat.

It is customary to distinguish three forms of scarlet fever:

Mild - the disease lasts 3-5 days and is not accompanied by large-scale intoxication;

Medium – lasts a week, is characterized by severe poisoning of the body and a large area of ​​rash;

Severe - can drag on for several weeks and turn into one of the pathological forms: toxic or septic. Toxic scarlet fever is manifested by loss of consciousness, dehydration and convulsions, and septic scarlet fever is manifested by severe lymphadenitis and necrotizing tonsillitis.

Scarlet fever, like all streptococcal infections, has a short incubation period and affects the child suddenly, and lasts an average of 10 days.

Symptoms of scarlet fever:

Fever, chills, body aches, headache, and severe pain when swallowing;

Rapid pulse, tachycardia;

General weakness, lethargy, drowsiness;

Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, loss of appetite;

Characteristic puffy face and unhealthy shine of the conjunctiva;

Very severe enlargement and pain of the submandibular lymph nodes, up to the inability to open the mouth and swallow food;

Redness of the skin and the appearance of small roseolas or papules on them, first on the upper part of the body, and after a few days on the extremities. It looks like goose bumps, and on the cheeks the rash merges and forms a scarlet crust;

Pallor of the nasolabial triangle in combination with cherry lips;

The tongue is coated with a gray coating, which disappears after three days, starting from the tip, and the entire surface becomes scarlet with protruding papillae. The tongue resembles the appearance of a raspberry;

Pastia's syndrome - accumulation of rash in the folds of the skin and severe swelling;

Clouding of consciousness up to fainting, less often – delirium, hallucinations and convulsions.

Painful symptoms increase during the first three days from the onset of the disease, and then gradually fade. The number and severity of the rash decrease, the skin becomes whitish and dry, sometimes it comes off in whole layers on the child’s palms and soles. The body produces antibodies to erythrotoxin, so if children who have had scarlet fever again encounter the pathogen, this only leads to a sore throat.

Moderate and severe forms of this disease require adequate and timely antibacterial therapy, as well as careful care of the child and subsequent measures to strengthen his immunity, for example, rest in a sanatorium and a course of multivitamins.

Streptococcus in pregnant women

One of the reasons why expectant mothers should be very scrupulous in matters of personal hygiene is staphylococcus, which can easily penetrate the genital tract through improper wiping, prolonged wearing of underwear, use of non-sterile intimate hygiene products, touching the genitals with dirty hands and unprotected genitals. contacts. Of course, streptococcus is normally present in the vaginal microflora, but a pregnant woman’s body is weakened, and natural defense mechanisms may not be enough to contain the infection.

The following streptococci are of greatest importance in the development of pregnancy pathology:

Streptococcus pyogenes causes tonsillitis, pyoderma, cystitis, endometritis, vulvitis, vaginitis, cervicitis, glomerulonephritis, postpartum sepsis, as well as intrauterine infection of the fetus with all the ensuing consequences;

Streptococcus agalactiae can also cause endometritis and inflammatory diseases of the genitourinary organs in the mother, and cause meningitis, sepsis, pneumonia and neurological disorders in the newborn.

If a dangerous concentration of streptococci is detected in a smear of a pregnant woman, local sanitation is carried out using antibacterial suppositories. And with full-blown streptococcal infections, for example, sore throat, the situation is much worse, since most antibiotics to which streptococcus is sensitive are strictly contraindicated during pregnancy. The conclusion is banal: expectant mothers need to carefully protect their health.

Complications and consequences of streptococcus

Streptococcal infections can cause the following complications:

Purulent otitis media;

Severe forms of allergies;

Rheumatoid arthritis;

Chronic lymphadenitis;

Inflammation of the heart membranes – endocarditis, myocarditis, pericarditis;

Pulpitis – inflammation of the contents of the teeth;

Toxic shock syndrome;

Glomerulonephritis;

Acute rheumatic fever;

Sore throat and pharyngitis are complicated by acute rheumatic fever in approximately 3% of cases. The decisive point in preventing this terrible consequence of streptococcal infections is timely and adequate antibacterial therapy. Previously, when doctors did not have such a number of powerful and safe antibiotics in their arsenal, acute respiratory infections were very common and became the cause of death of young and healthy people from a common cold.

Acute glomerulonephritis, that is, autoimmune inflammation of the kidneys, develops in approximately 10% of patients 2-3 weeks after suffering an untreated streptococcal infection. Children suffer from glomerulonephritis much more often than adults, but in them this disease is milder and usually does not cause fatal consequences.

The most dangerous to life and health are autoimmune lesions of the heart muscle, connective tissue and joints. Endocarditis sometimes develops into heart disease and causes severe forms of heart failure. Rheumatoid arthritis is an incurable disease that gradually immobilizes a person and leads to death from suffocation. Fortunately, such serious complications develop in less than 1% of cases of streptococcal infections.

Diagnosis of streptococcus

To diagnose streptococcal infections, tests of blood, urine, sputum, nasal mucus, scrapings from the surface of the skin (for erysipelas) and from the mucous membrane of the oropharynx (for pharyngitis and sore throat), as well as smears from the vagina or urethra for diseases of the genitourinary tract are used.

The most common methods for diagnosing streptococcus are as follows:

A laboratory technician, using a sterile cotton swab, takes a swab from the surface of the pharynx, places the test material in blood agar and keeps it in a closed flask for a day at a temperature of 37°C, then evaluates the result using a microscope, isolates a colony of bacteria with hemolysis and subcultures it into blood or sugar broth . There, streptococci after three days give pronounced bottom and parietal growth, and based on the color and characteristic appearance of the colony, one can draw a conclusion about the serogroup of the pathogen and select a suitable antibiotic;

If there is a suspicion of sepsis, 5 ml of blood is taken from the patient and inoculated in a sugar broth with thioglycol. The material is incubated at a temperature of 37°C for eight days, subcultured twice into blood agar - on the fourth and eighth days. In a healthy person, the blood is sterile, but in a patient, the growth of bacterial colonies will be observed, based on the nature of which one can draw a conclusion about the strain of the pathogen;

The serodiagnostic method allows you to determine the presence of antibodies to streptococcus in the patient’s blood, as well as their quantity, and, thus, confirm or refute the diagnosis;

The latex agglutination reaction and ELISA are methods for rapid diagnosis of streptococcal infections in the blood;

Differential diagnosis is necessary in order to distinguish a streptococcal infection from a very similar one, staphylococcal.

For example, a sore throat caused by streptococcus is much more contagious, manifests itself in very severe pain, often turns into a purulent form and causes complications. But Staphylococcus aureus is difficult to sanitation and constantly leads to reinfection of the patient.

Answers to important questions about streptococcus

Forewarned is forearmed. That’s why most people, first of all, try to figure out how dangerous a particular bacterium is in practice, how to protect itself from infection, and what exactly to do if you encounter a pathogen. We will try to answer in detail the most frequently asked questions about streptococcus.

How is streptococcal infection transmitted?

The source of infection is almost always a sick person and his household items: dishes, toothbrush, towel, handkerchief. It is almost impossible to pick up the bacteria from an asymptomatic carrier.

Streptococcus is transmitted in the following ways:

Contact;

Airborne;

You can cause a streptococcal infection of the genital organs yourself, if you do not follow basic rules of personal hygiene. But the most dangerous people from the point of view of infection are people with tonsillitis or pharyngitis, with whom you stand next to while talking, coughing and sneezing. In second place we can put unwashed or stale food products, which bring streptococcus into the body and cause dyspeptic disorders and food poisoning.

There are factors that significantly increase the likelihood of developing streptococcal infections:

Endocrine pathologies;

Immune diseases such as HIV;

Concomitant viral and anaerobic infections: ARVI, chlamydia, mycoplasmosis;

Chronic gastrointestinal diseases: gastritis, ulcers, intestinal dysfunction.

Streptococcal infections are clearly seasonal: this bacterium literally follows viruses and spreads among people in late autumn and early winter, just during the wave of general incidence of acute respiratory infections and influenza. The worst thing is that streptococcus significantly complicates the course of colds, but if the doctor has not diagnosed it, then he will not prescribe antibiotics, because viruses are indifferent to them. That is why, in case of severe intoxication and persistent cold, it is necessary to get tested.

How do staphylococci differ from streptococci?

Staphylococcus is a spherical gram-positive anaerobic bacterium with a diameter of 0.5-1 microns. It has no organs of movement and does not produce spores. Some strains of staphylococcus combine into capsules or form L-forms, that is, they completely or partially lose their cell membrane, but retain the ability to divide. Staphylococcus is an opportunistic microbe, that is, it causes disease only under certain conditions, and the rest of the time it is simply present in the body, without showing itself in any way. Surprisingly, all of the above symptoms are also characteristic of streptococcus. Same shape and diameter, same class of bacteria.

There are only a few signs by which you can distinguish staphylococcus from streptococcus:

Staphylococci are grouped in irregular shapes in the form of grape bunches, less often stick together in pairs or remain alone. And streptococci always form pairs or line up in the correct chain;

Staphylococci rarely form capsules, but almost all strains of streptococci are encapsulated using shells of hyaluronic acid;

Staphylococci rarely transform into L-forms, but streptococci do this very easily;

Staphylococcus never causes epidemiological outbreaks, and the diseases it causes develop only against the background of reduced immunity. Streptococcus, on the contrary, is extremely contagious and often causes seasonal cold epidemics.

Streptococcus in the throat, what to do?

If you are simply diagnosed with streptococcus when analyzing a throat swab, you don’t need to do anything. It is not the test results that are treated, but the specific disease. Any person who has had pharyngitis or a sore throat at least once will almost certainly have streptococcus on the mucous membrane of the throat, but as long as your immunity is at the proper level, nothing threatens you.

As we mentioned above, streptococcus is an opportunistic microorganism, that is, it is an integral part of healthy microflora. And a healthy microflora is not one that contains only “good” bacteria, but one where they are in balance. And if for the person himself streptococcus is a “bad” bacterium, then we should not forget that it can be bad for some other representatives of the pathogenic flora and prevent them from reproducing. The enemy of my enemy is my friend.

The second reason why you do not need to touch streptococcus that is found in the throat, but does not cause disease, is the effect of adaptation to antibiotics. Attempts to deal a “pre-emptive strike” against the infection result in the fact that the bacteria do not completely disappear, but only adapt to antibacterial drugs, mutate and pass on genetic information about the enemy to their descendants. And then, when a really serious reason for taking antibiotics appears, the drugs may turn out to be useless.

The following streptococci can normally be detected in a swab from the throat and nose of a healthy person:

Streptococcus mutans;

Streptococcus pyogenes;

Streptococcus pneumoniae.

You can and should live peacefully with any of the listed types of bacteria. Even sucking lozenges for a sore throat in the absence of it or spraying antibacterial sprays will bring enormous harm instead of benefit, not to mention oral administration of antibiotic tablets. With such preventive measures, you, along with streptococcus, will kill who knows who else, destroy the entire microflora of the pharynx and force your body to rebuild it. And it remains to be seen what will come of it. Therefore, if streptococcus is simply present in your throat, treat it as in the famous saying: “don’t touch it while it’s quiet.”

What does the presence of streptococcus in a vaginal smear mean?

Keeping this rule in mind, a qualified doctor will never prescribe antibiotics to a patient, either topically or orally, if he simply sees streptococci in her smear. It is unwise to interfere with the microbiological balance of healthy genital organs for the same reason as in the case of the throat: if the existing background does not cause inflammation, then there is no need to correct it.

The very presence of streptococcus in a vaginal smear may indicate the following processes:

Peaceful coexistence of all representatives of microflora;

Dysbacteriosis;

Sexually transmitted infection.

If there are very few streptococci in the smear, but on the contrary, there are a lot of Doderlein bacilli, then we are talking about the first option. If there are more streptococci than Doderlein rods, but the number of leukocytes in the field of view does not exceed 50, we are talking about the second option, that is, vaginal dysbiosis. Well, if there are a lot of leukocytes, then a diagnosis of “bacterial vaginosis” is made, which is specified depending on the type of the main pathogen. It can be not only streptococcus, but also staphylococcus, gerdnerella (gardnerellosis), trichomonas (trichomoniasis), candida (candidiasis), mycoplasma (mycoplasmosis), ureaplasma (ureaplasmosis), chlamydia (chlamydia) and many other microorganisms.

Thus, treatment of streptococcus in the vagina, like eradication of any other pathogen, is carried out only if its quantity in the smear is disproportionately large and is accompanied by pronounced leukocytosis. All such sexually transmitted infections have very clear symptoms, and a smear examination is necessary in order to identify the culprit and select the appropriate antibiotic.

Treatment of streptococcus

The treatment of streptococcal infections is carried out by the specialist whose area of ​​responsibility is the source of inflammation: colds are treated by a general practitioner, scarlet fever by a pediatrician, dermatitis and erysipelas by a dermatologist, genitourinary infections by a gynecologist and urologist, and so on. In most cases, the patient is prescribed antibiotics from the group of semisynthetic penicillins, but if there is an allergy to them, they resort to macrolides, cephalosporins or lincosamides.

The following antibiotics are used to treat streptococcal infections:

Benzylpenicillin – injection, 4-6 times a day;

Phenoxymethylpenicillin - adults 750 mg, and children 375 mg twice a day;

Amoxicillin (Flemoxin Solutab) and Augmentin (Amoxiclav) - in a similar dosage;

Azithromycin (Sumamed, Azitral) - adults 500 mg once on the first day, then 250 mg every day, for children the dosage is calculated based on 12 mg per kg of weight;

Cefuroxime - injection 30 mg per kg of body weight twice a day, orally 250-500 mg twice a day;

Ceftazidime (Fortum) – injection once a day, 100 – 150 mg per kg of weight;

Ceftriaxone - injection once a day, 20 - 80 mg per kg of weight;

Cefotaxime - injected once a day, 50 - 100 mg per kg of weight, only if there is no effect from other antibiotics;

Cefixime (Suprax) - 400 mg orally once a day;

Josamycin – orally once a day, 40–50 mg per kg of weight;

Midecamycin (Macropen) - orally once a day, 40 - 50 mg per kg of weight;

Clarithromycin – orally once a day, 6–8 mg per kg of weight;

Roxithromycin – orally 6–8 mg per kg of weight;

Spiramycin (Rovamycin) - orally twice a day, 100 units per kg of weight;

Erythromycin - orally four times a day, 50 mg per kg of weight.

The standard course of treatment for streptococcal infection takes 7-10 days. It is very important not to stop taking the drug immediately after you feel better, not to skip doses or change the dosage. All this causes multiple relapses of the disease and significantly increases the risk of complications. In addition to intramuscular, intravenous, or oral antibiotics, topical antibacterial agents in the form of aerosols, gargles, and lozenges are used to treat streptococcus. These drugs significantly speed up recovery and alleviate the course of the disease.

The most effective drugs for local treatment of streptococcal infections of the oropharynx are as follows:

Bioparox is an aerosol based on the latest generation antibiotic Fusafyungin, sprayed into the throat and nasal passages;

Ingalipt is a sulfonamide antibacterial throat aerosol;

Tonsilgon N - local immunostimulant and antibiotic of plant origin in the form of drops and dragees;

Hexoral - antiseptic aerosol and solution for gargling;

Chlorhexidine is an antiseptic, sold separately in the form of a solution, and is also included in many tablets for sore throat (Anti-Sore throat, Sebidine, Faringosept);

Cetylpyridine is an antiseptic, found in Septolete tablets;

Dichlorobenzene alcohol is an antiseptic, found in many aerosols and lozenges (Strepsils, Agisept, Rinza, Lorsept, Suprima-ENT, Astrasept, Terasil);

Iodine - found in aerosols and gargling solutions (Iodinol, Vocadin, Yox, Povidone-iodine).

Lizobakt, Immunal, IRS-19, Imunorix, Imudon are local and general immunostimulants.

If antibiotics were taken orally to treat a streptococcal infection, you will need drugs to restore the normal microflora of the internal organs:

• Bifidumabacterin;

• Bifiform.

Treatment of streptococcus in young children is carried out with the addition of antihistamines:

Claritin;

It would be useful to take preventive vitamin C, which strengthens the walls of blood vessels, improves immune status and detoxifies the body. In difficult situations, doctors use a special streptococcal bacteriophage for treatment - this is an artificially created virus that devours streptococci. Before use, the bacteriophage is tested by adding it to a flask with the patient’s blood and monitoring its effectiveness. The virus does not cope with all strains; sometimes you have to resort to a combined pyobacteriophage. In any case, this measure is justified only when the infection cannot be controlled with antibiotics, or the patient is allergic to all current types of antibacterial drugs.

It is very important to follow the correct regimen during treatment of streptococcal infections. A serious illness with severe intoxication of the body requires staying in bed. It is active movements and work during illness that are the main prerequisites for the development of serious complications in the heart, kidneys and joints. To remove toxins, you need a lot of water - up to three liters daily, both in its pure form and in the form of warm medicinal tea, juices and fruit drinks. Warming compresses can be applied to the neck and ears only if the patient does not have an elevated body temperature.

In case of acute tonsillitis and pharyngitis, you should not irritate your throat with too hot or, conversely, ice-cold food. Rough food is also unacceptable - it injures the inflamed mucous membrane. It is best to eat porridge, puree soups, yoghurts, and soft curds. If the patient has no appetite at all, there is no need to stuff him with food, this will only result in nausea and vomiting. Digestion is a process on which our body spends a lot of energy. Therefore, during the treatment of streptococcal infection, when the digestive organs are already working poorly and the body is poisoned with toxins, fasting with plenty of fluids may be more beneficial than a good diet.

Of course, children suffering from streptococcal sore throat or scarlet fever need the most careful care. The child is given warm linden or chamomile tea every hour and a half, cool lotions are applied to the sore eyes and hot forehead, and the itchy and flaky areas of the skin are lubricated with baby cream. If your baby is able to gargle, you should do this as often as possible using chamomile or sage infusion. After recovery from a severe form of scarlet fever, young patients are recommended to rest in a sanatorium and take prophylactic multivitamins, immunostimulants, pro- and prebiotics.

Scientific classification of staphylococcus:
Domain:
Type: Firmicutes
Class: bacilli
Order: Lactobacillales (Lactobacilli)
Family: Streptococcaceae (Streptococcus)
Genus: Streptococcus (Streptococcus)
International scientific name: Streptococcus

Streptococcus ( lat. Streptococcus) is a spherical or egg-shaped bacterium belonging to the Streptococcus family (Streptococcaceae).

In nature, this type of bacteria also exists in the ground, on the surface of plants, and fungi.

Streptococcal infection is an opportunistic microflora - it is almost always present in the human body and does not pose any danger, since its quantity and presence in a person is controlled by the immune system. However, as soon as a person begins to weaken (stress, hypothermia, hypovitaminosis, etc.), bacteria immediately begin to actively multiply, release a large amount of their waste products into the body, poisoning it, and provoke the development of various, as written above, mainly – , and systems. And therefore, the main preventive action against the development of streptococcal infection in the body and related diseases is to strengthen and maintain the normal functioning of the immune system. However, all types of streptococci should not be considered pathogenic - some of them are beneficial bacteria, for example, Streptococcus thermophilus, which is used in the production of fermented milk products - yoghurt, sour cream, mozzarella and others.

The main methods of infection with streptococcal infection are airborne droplets and household contact.

Diseases that can cause streptococci

In addition, streptococcal infection can become a secondary infection, joining, for example, enterococcal and other types.

Most often, children, elderly people, and office workers suffer from diseases of streptococcal etiology.

Characteristics of streptococci

Let's look a little at a brief description of bacteria - streptococcus.

Streptococcus is a typical cell, the diameter of which is less than 1 micron, arranged in pairs or chains, forming an elongated rod with thickenings and thinnings, shaped like beads strung on a chain. Because of this shape they got their name. Streptococcal cells form a capsule and can easily turn into the L-form. The bacteria are immobile, with the exception of strains of group D. Active reproduction occurs upon contact with particles of blood, ascitic fluid or carbohydrates. Favorable temperature for normal life infections +37°C, acid-base balance (pH) – 7.2-7.4. Streptococci live mainly in colonies, forming a grayish coating. They process (ferment) carbohydrates, forming acid, break down arginine and serine (amino acids), and in a nutrient medium they synthesize extracellular substances such as streptokinase, streptodornase, streptolysins, bacteriocins and leukocidin. Some representatives of streptococcal infections - groups B and D form red and yellow pigments.

Streptococcal infection includes about 100 types of bacteria, the most popular of which are hemolytic streptococci.

How to inactivate streptococcus?

Streptococcus bacteria die when:

— their treatment with solutions of antiseptics and disinfectants;
— pasteurization;
- exposure to antibacterial agents - tetracyclines, aminoglycosides, penicillins (not used for invasive streptococcal infection).

How is streptococcus transmitted? Let's look at the most popular ways of contracting streptococcal infections.

The conditions under which a person begins to develop streptococcal diseases usually consist of two parts - contact with this infection and a weakened immune system. However, a person can become seriously ill from ordinary contact with this type of bacteria.

How can streptococcus enter the body?

Airborne path. The risk of contracting a streptococcal infection usually increases during the period of colds, when the concentration of various infections (fungus, etc.) in the air, mainly in enclosed spaces, increases significantly. Staying in offices, public transport, performances and other places with large crowds of people, especially during the period, is the main way of becoming infected with these bacteria. Sneezing and are the main signals that warn that it is better to leave this room, or at least ventilate it thoroughly.

Airborne dust path. Dust usually consists of small particles of tissue, paper, desquamated skin, animal hair, plant pollen and various representatives of infection - viruses, fungi, bacteria. Staying in dusty rooms is another factor that increases the risk of streptococcal infection.

Contact and household path. Infection occurs when sharing dishes, personal hygiene items, towels, bed linen, and kitchen utensils with a sick person. The risk of the disease increases when the mucous membrane of the nasal or oral cavity, as well as the surface of the skin, is injured. Very often, at work, people become infected through the use of one cup for several people, or drinking water from the same bottle.

Sexual path. Infection occurs through intimate intimacy with a person who suffers from streptococci, or is simply their carrier. This type of bacteria tends to live and actively reproduce in the organs of the genitourinary system of men (in the urethra) and women (in the vagina).

Fecal-oral (nutritional) route. Infection with streptococci occurs when non-compliance is observed, for example, when eating food with unwashed hands.

Medical path. Infection of a person occurs mainly during examination, surgical or dental intervention with non-disinfected medical instruments.

How can streptococcus seriously harm a person's health, or what weakens the immune system?

Presence of chronic diseases. If a person has chronic diseases, this usually indicates a weakened immune system. In order not to complicate the course of diseases, and streptococcal infection does not join existing diseases, pay due attention and focus on their treatment.

The most common diseases and pathological conditions in which streptococcus often attacks the patient are: and other body systems, injury to the mucous membranes of the mouth and nasal cavity, throat, and genitourinary system.

In addition, the risk of infection with streptococcus increases:

• Bad habits: drinking alcohol, smoking, drugs;
• Lack of healthy sleep, chronic fatigue;
• Eating food mainly;
• Sedentary lifestyle;
• Insufficiency in the body and ();
• Abuse of certain medications, for example, antibiotics, vasoconstrictors;
• Visiting beauty salons of a dubious nature, especially manicure, pedicure, piercing, tattooing procedures;
• Working in contaminated areas, for example in the chemical or construction industries, especially without respiratory protection.

Symptoms of streptococcus

The clinical picture (symptoms) of streptococcus is very diverse and depends on the location (organ) that affects this genus of bacteria, the strain of infection, the state of health and immune system, and the age of the person.

Common symptoms of streptococcus may include:

• , change in voice timbre;
• The formation of plaque, often purulent, on the patient’s tonsils;
• , malaise, muscle pain and;
• , from 37.5 to 39 °C;
• Redness of the skin, as well as itching and the appearance of blisters or plaques on it;
• Abdominal pain, lack of appetite, ;
• Feeling of pain and itching in the organs of the genitourinary system, discharge from them;
• – (runny nose), and;
• Difficulty breathing, sneezing, shortness of breath;
• Impaired sense of smell;
• Respiratory tract diseases: and pneumonia ();
• , disturbance of consciousness;
• Disruption of the normal functioning of certain organs and tissues, which have become a source of bacterial sedimentation.

Complications of streptococcus:

• Glomerulonephritis;
• Inflammation of the heart muscle - endocarditis;
• Vasculitis;
• Purulent;
• Loss of voice;
• Lung abscess;
• Rheumatoid arthritis;
• Severe forms;
• Chronic lymphadenitis;
• Erysipelas;
• Sepsis.

In total, about 100 species of streptococci are known, each of which is characterized by its pathogenicity.

For convenience, this genus of bacteria, depending on the type of hemolysis of red blood cells, was divided into 3 main groups (Brown classification):

• Alpha streptococci (α), or viridans streptococci - cause incomplete hemolysis;
• Beta streptococci (β)- cause complete hemolysis, and are the most pathogenic bacteria;
• Gamma streptococci (γ)– are non-hemolytic bacteria, i.e. they do not cause hemolysis.

Lancefield's classification, depending on the structure of carbohydrate C in the bacterial cell wall, also distinguishes 12 serotypes of β-streptococci: A, B, C... to U.

Alpha hemolytic streptococci:

All types of bacteria included in the genus Streptococcus (Streptococcus): S. acidominimus, S. agalactiae, S. alactolyticus, S. anginosus, S. anthracis, S. australis, S. caballi, S. canis, S. castoreus, S. constellatus, S. criae, S. criceti, S. cristatus, S. danieliae, S. dentapri, S. dentasini, S. dentirousetti, S. dentisani, S. dentisuis, S. devriesei, S. didelphis, S. downei, S. dysgalactiae, S. entericus, S. equi, S. equinus, S. ferus, S. fryi, S. gallinaceus, S. gallolyticus, S. gordonii, S. halichoeri, S. henryi, S. hongkongensis, S. hyointestinalis, S. hyovaginalis, S. ictaluri, S. infantarius, S. infantis, S. iniae, S. intermedius, S. lactarius, S. loxodontisalivarius, S. lutetiensis, S. macacae, S. macedonicus, S. marimammalium, S. massiliensis, S. merionis, S. milleri, S. minor, S. mitis, S. mutans, S. oligofermentans, S. oralis, S. oriloxodontae, S. orisasini, S. orisratti, S. orisuis, S. ovis, S. parasanguinis, S. parauberis, S. pasteuri, S. pasteurianus, S. peroris, S. phocae, S. pluranimalium, S. plurextorum, S. porci, S. porcinus, S. porcorum, S. pseudopneumoniae, S. pseudoporcinus, S. pyogenes, S. ratti, S. rubneri, S. rupicaprae, S. salivarius, S. saliviloxodontae, S. sanguinis, S. sciuri, S. seminale, S. sinensis, S. sobrinus, S. suis, S. thermophilus, S. thoraltensis, S. tigurinus, S. troglodytae, S. troglodytidis, S. uberis, S. urinalis, S. ursoris, S. vestibularis, S. viridans.

Diagnosis of streptococcus

A test for streptococcus is usually taken from the following materials: swabs taken from the oropharynx (for diseases of the upper respiratory tract), vagina or urethra (for diseases of the genitourinary system), sputum from the nose, scrapings of the surface of the skin (for erysipelas), as well as blood and urine .

Thus, the following tests and methods for examining the body for streptococcal infection are distinguished:

• and urine;
• and urine;
• Bacteriological culture of sputum and smears taken from the nasal cavity and oropharynx;
• internal organs;
• lungs;

In addition, differential diagnosis is necessary to distinguish streptococcal infection from: infectious mononucleosis, rubella, measles, and other types of infection - trichomonas, gerdnerella, candida, chlamydia, ureaplasma, mycoplasma, etc.

How to treat streptococcus? Treatment for streptococcus usually consists of several points:

1. Antibacterial therapy;
2. Strengthening the immune system;
3. Restoration of normal intestinal microflora, which is usually disrupted when using antibacterial drugs;
4. Detoxification of the body;
5. Antihistamines - prescribed to children with allergies to antibiotics;
6. Symptomatic therapy;
7. If there are other diseases at the same time, they are also treated.

The beginning of treatment is a mandatory visit to a doctor, who, using diagnostics, will identify the type of pathogen and an effective remedy against it. The use of broad-spectrum antibiotics can worsen the course of the disease.

Treatment of streptococcal infection can be carried out by different specialists - depending on the form of infection - therapist, pediatrician, dermatologist, gynecologist, surgeon, urologist, pulmonologist, etc.

1. Antibacterial therapy

Important! Before using antibiotics, be sure to consult your doctor.

Antibiotics against streptococci for internal use:"", "Amoxicillin", "Ampicillin", "Augmentin", "Benzylpenicillin", "Vancomycin", "Josamycin", "Doxycycline", "Claritomycin", "Levofloxacin", "Midecamycin", "Roxithromycin", "Spiramycin" , “Phenoxymethylpenicillin”, “Cefixime”, “Ceftazidime”, “”, “Cefotaxime”, “Cefuroxime”, “”.

The course of antibacterial therapy is prescribed individually by the attending physician. Usually it is 5-10 days.

Antibiotics against streptococci for topical use:“Bioparox”, “Hexoral”, “Dichlorobenzene alcohol”, “Ingalipt”, “Tonsilgon N”, “Chlorhexidine”, “Cetylpyridine”.

Important! Antibacterial drugs of the penicillin series are widely used to treat streptococci. If allergic reactions to penicillins occur, macrolides are used. Tetracycline antibiotics against streptococcal infections are considered ineffective.

2. Strengthening the immune system

To strengthen and stimulate the functioning of the immune system, for infectious diseases it is often prescribed - immunostimulants: “Immunal”, “IRS-19”, “Imudon”, “Imunorix”, “Lizobakt”.

A natural immunostimulant is, a large amount of which is present in products such as rose hips and other citrus fruits, kiwi, cranberries, sea buckthorn, currants, parsley,.

3. Restoration of normal intestinal microflora

When using antibacterial drugs, the microflora necessary for the normal functioning of the digestive system is usually suppressed. To restore it, in Lately Appointments are increasingly being made probiotics: “Acipol”, “Bifidumabacterin”, “Bifiform”, “Linex”.

4. Detoxification of the body.

As was written in the article, streptococcal infection poisons the body with various poisons and enzymes, which are products of their vital activity. These substances complicate the course of the disease and also cause a considerable number of unpleasant symptoms.

To remove waste products of bacteria from the body, you need to drink a lot of fluid (about 3 liters per day) and rinse the nasal and oropharynx (with furacillin solution, a weak saline solution).

Among the drugs for removing toxins from the body are:"Atoxil", "Albumin", "Enterosgel".

5. Antihistamines

The use of antibacterial drugs by young children is sometimes accompanied by allergic reactions. To prevent these reactions from developing into complications, the use of antihistamines: “Claritin”, “”, “Cetrin”.

6. Symptomatic therapy

To relieve symptoms of infectious diseases, various drugs are prescribed.

At high body temperature: cool compresses on the forehead, neck, wrists, armpits. Among the drugs we can highlight - “”, “”.

For nasal congestion– vasoconstrictor drugs: “Noxprey”, “Farmazolin”.

Important! Before using folk remedies, consult your doctor.

Apricot. Apricots have proven themselves well for the treatment of streptococcal infections - apricot pulp should be consumed 2 times a day, morning and evening, on an empty stomach. For skin lesions, the skin can also be rubbed with apricot pulp.

Black currant. Blackcurrant berries not only contain a high dose of vitamin C, but are also a natural antibiotic. To use these berries as a remedy, you need to eat 1 glass of them after each meal.

Chlorophyllipt. As an alcohol and oil solution, it can be used to treat diseases of the ENT organs. The alcohol solution is used as a rinse for the nasal cavity and throat; the oil solution is instilled into the nose and lubricated the tonsils. The course of treatment is 4-10 days.

Rose hip. Pour 500 water into the mixture, bring the product to a boil, boil for about 5 minutes and set aside for several hours to infuse. Drink 150 ml of the prepared decoction twice a day. An increase in effectiveness was noticed when using this remedy simultaneously with the use of apricot puree.

Onion and garlic. These products are natural antibiotics against various infections. To use onions as a remedy, you don’t need to prepare anything special, you just need to eat them along with other foods, at least a couple of times a day.

A series. Grind thoroughly and pour 400 ml of boiling water over 20 g of dry water, cover the container and leave to infuse. When the product has cooled, strain it well and take 100 ml, 4 times a day.

Prevention of streptococcus includes the following recommendations:

— Avoid places with large crowds of people, especially indoors and during the season of respiratory diseases;

— If there is a sick person at home, provide him with cutlery, personal hygiene items, a towel and bed linen for his personal use;

— Do not use one container for several people at work, and do not drink water from your throat at the same time with several people;

- Try to eat foods rich in microelements;

- Avoid stress;

— If the living space has an air conditioner, air purifier or

Streptococci - video

Be healthy!