Streptococcus pyogenes, or Group A Streptococcus, is a patogen not only involved in wound infections and throat infections, but can also cause respiratory infections.
Wound infections: Streptococcus pyogenes is a major pathogen in wound infections from simple cellulitis to necrotizing fasciitis (“flesh-eating” disease). S. pyogenes produces exotoxins that facilitate tissue invasion and systemic illness. Rapid identification in wound infections is crucial due to its aggressive nature and potential for rapid progression (Walker et al. 2014, Stevens & Bryant, 2016).
Respiratory infections: Group A Streptococcus is primarily a throat and skin pathogen, but it can rarely cause severe invasive infections including pneumonia and toxic shock. In influenza seasons, S. pyogenes has been identified as a fatal co-infecting pathogen; its inclusion helps detect these dangerous cases (Morris et al 2017, Borgogna & Voyich 2022).
Walker, M. J., Barnett, T. C., McArthur, J. D., Cole, J. N., Gillen, C. M., Henningham, A., Sriprakash, K. S., Sanderson-Smith, M. L., & Nizet, V. (2014). Disease manifestations and pathogenic mechanisms of Group A Streptococcus. Clinical microbiology reviews, 27(2), 264–301. https://doi.org/10.1128/CMR.00101-13
Stevens DL, Bryant AE. Impetigo, Erysipelas and Cellulitis. 2016 Feb 10. In: Ferretti JJ, Stevens DL, Fischetti VA, editors. Streptococcus pyogenes : Basic Biology to Clinical Manifestations [Internet]. Oklahoma City (OK): University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center; 2016-.
Morris, D. E., Cleary, D. W., & Clarke, S. C. (2017). Secondary Bacterial Infections Associated with Influenza Pandemics. Frontiers in microbiology, 8, 1041.
Borgogna, T., & M. Voyich, J. (2022). Examining the Executioners, Influenza Associated Secondary Bacterial Pneumonia. IntechOpen. doi: 10.5772/intechopen.101666
