Streptococcus Group A Infections eMedicine Infectious Diseases

Description: Spectrum of diseases from group A streptococcal infections In the preantibiotic era, streptococci frequently caused significant morbidity and mortality. However, in the postantibiotic period, diseases from streptococcal infections are well controlled and uncommonly cause death. The streptococci not only cause acute infections but are also responsible for nonsuppurative postinfectious sequelae such as rheumatic fever and glomerulonephritis. Pharyngitis and impetigo are the common streptococcal infections. The suppurative complications of GAS tonsillopharyngitis include the following: Tonsillopharyngeal cellulitis or abscess Otitis media Sinusitis Necrotizing fasciitis Streptococcal bacteremia Meningitis or brain abscess (rare complication resulting from direct extension of an ear or sinus infection or from bacteremic spread) The nonsuppurative complications of GAS tonsillopharyngitis include the following: Acute rheumatic fever Acute glomerulonephritis Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (strep TSS)
Sharma & Harding 2006