Non–Group A or B Streptococci

Chapter 178 Non–Group A or B Streptococci

The genus Streptococcus comprises >30 species. Streptococcus pneumoniae (Chapter 175), group A streptococcus (Chapter 176), and group B streptococcus (Chapter 177) are the most common causes of human streptococcal infections. The β-hemolytic streptococci of Lancefield groups C to H and K to V and the α-hemolytic streptococci that cannot be classified within a Lancefield group (the viridans streptococci) commonly colonize intact body surfaces (the pharynx, skin, gastrointestinal tract, genitourinary tract) and also cause infections in humans (see Table 178-1 on the Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics website at www.expertconsult.com ). Of the non–group A β-hemolytic streptococci, groups C and G streptococcus are the most frequent cause of human disease. The enterococci were once classified among the group D streptococci but are now a separate genus, Enterococcus (Chapter 179).

Group C streptococcus is a much more common cause of infection in animals than in humans. Humans infected with this organism often have had some animal contact. Both group C and group G streptococcus often can be part of the normal human flora of the nasopharynx, skin, and genital tract. Group C streptococcus can be cultured from the umbilicus of asymptomatic newborns and from routine puerperal vaginal cultures. Group G streptococcus also can be cultured from the gastrointestinal tract. Because of the relatively low virulence of group C and group G streptococci, most humans infected with either of these organisms have some underlying medical disorder (diabetes mellitus, malignancy, alcohol abuse, immunosuppression).

The clinical features

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