Toxic shock syndrome caused by Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis in a Mexican preschool patient / Síndrome de choque tóxico por Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis en un paciente preescolar mexicano

Abstract Background: Severe infections due to Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis (SDSE) have been identified in adults and may cause toxic shock syndrome, although with a low frequency. Case report: A preschool-age female patient, who started with an upper respiratory tract infection developing a gradual deterioration in the following three days, is described. She was admitted to the hospital in severe conditions, with tachypnea, tachycardia (200/min), hypotension (blood pressure 68/40 mmHg), capillary refill of 7 s, and erythematous maculopapular rash in thorax, abdomen and lower extremities. She received intensive management with an inadequate response. Furthermore, she developed multiple organ failure and died 8 h after admission. The blood culture was positive for S. dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis. Conclusions: SDSE is a rare pathogen in children. In Mexico, cases of SDSE have not been reported probably due to an inaccurate identification. Mexican pediatricians should be alert to this situation.

Resumen Introducción: En adultos, se han identificado infecciones graves por Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis (SDSE), que pueden causar el síndrome de choque tóxico causado por SDSE, aunque es de baja frecuencia. Caso clínico: Paciente de sexo femenino en edad preescolar. Comenzó con una infección del tracto respiratorio superior, y desarrolló un deterioro gradual en los siguientes tres días. Ingresó en el hospital en condiciones graves, con taquipnea, taquicardia (200/min), hipotensión (tensión arterial, TA 68/40 mmHg), llenado capilar de 7 s y erupción maculopapular eritematosa en el tórax, abdomen y extremidades inferiores. Recibió manejo intensivo, sin una buena respuesta. Posteriormente, desarrolló datos de falla orgánica múltiple y murió 8 h después de su ingreso. El hemocultivo fue positivo para S. dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis. Conclusiones: El SDSE es un patógeno raro en los niños. En México, no se han reportado casos de SDSE probablemente debido a una identificación errónea. Los pediatras mexicanos deben estar atentos a esta situación.

Utility of Detecting sof Gene as Evidence of Streptococcus pyogenes Infection in Acute Rheumatic Fever

Objectives: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of polymerase chain reaction-baseddetection of sof gene compared to throat swab culture for S. pyogenes infection in patientswith acute rheumatic fever and those with recurrence of rheumatic activity. Methods: 40patients between 3 to 18 years of age, with clinical diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever or newactivity in established rheumatic heart disease were included. The amplicon of 228bp of sofgene was detected using a polymerase chain reaction-based technique and the results werecompared with throat swab culture for Streptococcus pyogenes. Results: 10 patients hada positive throat swab culture and 11 had sof gene detected. The sensitivity and specificityof the test was 100% and 96.7%, respectively compared to throat swab culture (P=0.001).The positive predictive value and the negative predictive value was 90.9% and 100%respectively. Conclusions: Polymerase chain reaction-based detection of sof geneprovides an alternative to throat swab culture in diagnosing activity in Acute RheumaticFever or established Rheumatic heart disease.

The Incidence In Rheumatic Fever in Age 5-15 Age Group Bangladesh

Introduction: In developing country like Bangladesh rheumaticfever is common diseases occur in children.Objective: In this study our main goal is to evaluate theincidence in rheumatic fever in age 5-15 age groupBangladesh.Method: This cross sectional study was done at differentprivate hospital in Khulna district from January 2016 to January2017 .where 100 patients data were recorded methodically in apreformed data sheet.Results: In the study 71% patients’ mother was illiterate andmost of them were house wife. Also, most of the patients facedserious heart damage.Conclusion: We can conclude that, overcrowding and lowattainment of education by mothers is responsible for incidenceof RF in children. Further study in needed for better outcome.

A Case of Neonatal Meningitis Caused by Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies dysgalactiae and Herpes Simplex Virus

Streptococcus dysgalactiae has two main subspecies: S. dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis (SDSE) and S. dysgalactiae subsp. dysgalactiae (SDSD). SDSE often colonizes and causes infections in humans; however, SDSD is an animal pathogen which often causes pyogenic infection in domestic animals. We present a case of meningitis with SDSD and herpes simplex virus in a 22-day-old newborn baby who had no exposure to animals.

Evaluation of group B Streptococcus (GBS) screening in late pregnancy and intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis for prevention of neonatal early-onset GBS disease / 中华围产医学杂志

Objective To study the colonization rate and antibiotic resistance of group B Streptococcus (GBS) in gravidas during late pregnancy,and to evaluate the effectiveness of GBS screening in late pregnancy and intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) for the prevention of neonatal early-onset GBS disease (EOGBS).Methods A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the colonization rate and antibiotic resistance pattern of GBS in 14 204 gravidas who were screened for GBS at 35-37 gestational weeks during March 2016 to March 2018 in the University of Hongkong-Shenzhen Hospital (HKU-SZH).Differences in the incidence of EOGBS before and after GBS screening and IAP were analyzed using Chi-square or Fisher's exact test.Results Among the 14 204 gravidas,2 027 cases were GBS positive with a colonization rate of 14.27％.Incidence rates of EOGBS before and after GBS screening were 0.6‰ (4/6 356) and 0.07‰ (1/14 403),respectively (Fisher's exact test,P=0.033).GBS isolates were 100％ (2 027/2 027) sensitive to penicillin and vancomycin.Resistance rates to clindamycin and erythromycin were 67.2％(1 363/2 027) and 65.7％ (1 332/2 027),respectively.Conclusions Routine GBS screening in late pregnancy and IAP can significantly decrease the incidence of EOGBS.Penicillin is the optimal choice for prevention and treatment of GBS infection.

Management of severe sepsis and septic shock in pregnancy to improve the survival

Background: The thymus is a central lymphoid organ that plays a vital role in the development and maturation of the immune system during childhood, the thymus appears as a bilobed triangular structure located in the anterior mediastinum. Aim and objectives: To provide radiologists a comprehensive understanding of Recognition of the variable appearance of thymic lesions and evaluation of thymic lesions on different radiological modalities like X-Rays and CT-scan for early diagnosis as well as management. Materials and methods: 10 cases of either strong suspicion or symptoms related to thymic lesion were evaluated who came to Dhiraj Hospital with different radiological modalities (X-ray, CT-scan). Results: Out of total no. of 10 patients who were diagnosed and evaluated with thymic lesion on Xrays and CT-scan are: Thymic Hyperplasia, Thymic Cyst, Thymic Lymphoma, Thymoma, Benign Teratoma, Malignant Teratoma. Conclusion: CT Imaging remains the ideal scanning modality to evaluate Radiologists play a major role in differentiating normal thymus from its variants, various thymic lesions and tumor. But common associated radiological modality used along with CT scan done is X-ray.

Comparative Analysis of Inflammatory Markers Produced by Macrophages Inoculated with Invasive and Colonizing Strains of Streptococcus Agalactiae (Group B Streptococcus) and Evaluation of Patients’ Clinical Data

Introduction: Group B Streptococcus (GBS), infection and recurrence in newborns and pregnant women can lead to chronic medical illness resulting in significant morbidity, and mortality. Pathogenesis of GBS may be due to reasons such as activation of the immune system, followed by the production of inflammatory markers and toxic components by immune cells including macrophages. Methods: The studies on invasive and colonizing GBS strains inoculated either with peripheral or brain macrophages, the expression of nitric oxide (NO), cell viability, and CD40 were also measured by Griess assay, methyl tetrazolium assay (MTT), and flow cytometry, respectively. Furthermore, the clinical manifestations of the selected patients were also assessed for this study. Results: Outcome of inflammatory markers studies, after GBS inoculation indicated that, invasive GBS strains induced higher inflammatory markers in comparison to colonizing GBS strains. Furthermore, patients’ clinical data showed that patients with invasive GBS infections had severe condition unlike among patients with colonizing GBS strains. The fatality rate in patients with invasive GBS strain were 30.8% while there was no death among carriers. Conclusion: This study, aimed to understand the immune response to GBS, and strengthen the knowledge on GBS pathogenesis. It was concluded that invasive GBS strains not only showed higher expression of inflammatory markers on immune cells but also had higher pathogenesis effect in comparison to colonizing GBS strains.

Invasive group B streptococcal infection in a patient with post splenectomy for hypersplenism secondary to liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension / 世界急诊医学杂志（英文）

BACKGROUND:Splenectomy in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) is expected to become more common owing to its efficacy on portal hemodynamics. In this report we describe an alarming case of group B streptococcus (GBS) infection after splenectomy in a patient with LC. METHODS:A 72-year-old woman with a history of LC was admitted to our emergency department because of respiratory failure. The patient had received left lateral segmentectomy of the liver and splenectomy three months before admission. Pulmonary examination revealed significant wheezing during inspiration and expiration, but no crackles and stridor. Chest radiography and CT showed no infiltrates. A presumptive diagnosis of bronchial asthma caused by upper respiratory infection was made. Four days after admission, GBS infection was confirmed by blood culture and penicillin G was administered. Antibiotics were given intravenously for a total of 12 days. RESULTS:The patient was discharged on the 12th day after admission. CONCLUSIONS:Although efficacy of splenectomy in patients with LC has been reported, immune status should be evaluated for a longer period. Patients who have undergone splenectomy are highly susceptible to bacteria; moreover, LC itself is an independent risk factor for mortality in patients with sepsis. Since prophylaxis against GBS has not been established, immediate action should be taken. Emergency physicians should be aware of invasive GBS infection in the context of the critical risk factors related to splenectomy and LC, particularly the expected increase of splenectomy performed in LC patients.

A Case of Posterior Reversible Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome Following Poststreptococcal Glomerulonephritis

Posterior reversible leukoencephalopathy syndrome is a clinical radiographic syndrome of many causative factors. Sudden onset headache, vomiting, altered mental status, blurred vision and seizures are main symptoms shown in posterior reversible leukoencephalopathy syndrome. In addition, it typically shows radiological findings of edema in the white matter of posterior cerebrum, being in commonly bilateral but asymmetric. We report a case of poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis (PSGN) presenting as posterior reversible leukoencephalopathy syndrome. Immediate control of hypertension resulted in rapid and complete neurological recovery.

Neonatal invasive Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp. pasteurianus infection with delayed central nervous system complications / 소아과

Group D streptococci are known to cause newborn septicemia and meningitis, but the Streptococcus bovis group strains rarely cause serious neonatal infections in Korea. Central nervous system (CNS) complications of neonatal S. bovis group infection have rarely been reported. In adults, S. bovis group strains cause bacteremia and endocarditis, and are associated with gastrointestinal malignancy. However, only a few studies have reported meningitis and septicemia in infants. Here, we describe a case of bacteremia and meningitis due to Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp. pasteurianus with a delayed CNS complication in an infant. A 28-day-old male infant was admitted to the hospital with a 1-day history of fever. Cultures of blood, cerebrospinal fluid, and urine showed the presence of S. bovis group strain-S. gallolyticus subsp. pasteurianus. He was discharged after 21 days of intravenous ampicillin and cefotaxime administration. Two weeks later, he was readmitted with a fever and short episodes of tonic-clonic movements. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed marked bilateral frontal subdural effusion. He was discharged after 31 days of antibiotic therapy, and no neurological sequelae were observed at the 9-month follow-up. In conclusion, we present a rare case of neonatal S. gallolyticus subsp. pasteurianus infection causing urinary tract infection, septicemia, meningitis, and delayed CNS complications. This case emphasizes the need for physicians to be aware of S. bovis infection in infants.

Streptococcal acute pharyngitis

Acute pharyngitis/tonsillitis, which is characterized by inflammation of the posterior pharynx and tonsils, is a common disease. Several viruses and bacteria can cause acute pharyngitis; however, Streptococcus pyogenes (also known as Lancefield group A β-hemolytic streptococci) is the only agent that requires an etiologic diagnosis and specific treatment. S. pyogenes is of major clinical importance because it can trigger post-infection systemic complications, acute rheumatic fever, and post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis. Symptom onset in streptococcal infection is usually abrupt and includes intense sore throat, fever, chills, malaise, headache, tender enlarged anterior cervical lymph nodes, and pharyngeal or tonsillar exudate. Cough, coryza, conjunctivitis, and diarrhea are uncommon, and their presence suggests a viral cause. A diagnosis of pharyngitis is supported by the patient's history and by the physical examination. Throat culture is the gold standard for diagnosing streptococcus pharyngitis. However, it has been underused in public health services because of its low availability and because of the 1- to 2-day delay in obtaining results. Rapid antigen detection tests have been used to detect S. pyogenes directly from throat swabs within minutes. Clinical scoring systems have been developed to predict the risk of S. pyogenes infection. The most commonly used scoring system is the modified Centor score. Acute S. pyogenes pharyngitis is often a self-limiting disease. Penicillins are the first-choice treatment. For patients with penicillin allergy, cephalosporins can be an acceptable alternative, although primary hypersensitivity to cephalosporins can occur. Another drug option is the macrolides. Future perspectives to prevent streptococcal pharyngitis and post-infection systemic complications include the development of an anti-Streptococcus pyogenes vaccine.

Association Between Neuropsychiatric Morbidity and Streptococcal Infections in Children.

We conducted a case control study to study the association between neuropsychiatric morbidity and group A streptococcal infections in children. Twenty two cases of neuropsychiatric morbidity were compared with 64 controls. Fourteen (63.6%) of the 22 cases were positive for ASO and/or ADNB while 21 of the 64 controls (32.8%) were positive for either or both antibodies (OR = 3.428; CI: 1.15 – 10.18; P=0.026). We conclude that there is a statistically significant association between neuropsychiatric morbidity and streptococcal infection in children.

Group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcal Meningoencephalitis with Unilateral Hemiparesis / 소아감염

Group A streptococcus (GAS) rarely causes meningoencephalitis in children without risk factors. A previously healthy 8 year-old child presented with lethargy, high fever, and vomiting. The clinical course was unusual including intractable seizures, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), and left hemiparesis in spite of the appropriate and timely administration of antibiotics and corticosteroids. The microbiologic studies revealed that the pathogen was susceptible to penicillin and GAS M18 strains. This case showed the importance of the GAS vaccine in addition to appropriate antibiotics.

Neurobiologia da síndrome de Tourette: a hipótese auto-imune pós-estreptocócica: [revisão] / Neurobiology of Tourette's syndrome: the autoimmune post-streptococcal hypothesis: [review]

CONTEXTO: A síndrome de Tourette (ST) caracteriza-se pela presença de tiques motores e pelo menos um tique fônico. Algumas semelhanças clínicas com a coréia reumática ou de Sydenham (CS) incentivaram a formulação da hipótese da existência de um grupo de transtornos neuropsiquiátricos associados a processo auto-imune decorrente de infecção estreptocócica (PANDAS). OBJETIVO: Revisar a literatura quanto às evidências em relação à hipótese de que mecanismos auto-imunes pós-estreptocócicos estão envolvidos na etiopatogênese da ST. MÉTODOS: Revisão sistemática na base de dados MedLine com os termos "Tourette", "tic", "PANDAS", "antibodies", "streptococcal" e "rheumatic". RESULTADOS: Retornaram 238 artigos da busca. Selecionaram-se 53 trabalhos, os quais tiveram suas referências bibliográficas também revisadas. São apresentados os resultados de estudos que avaliaram aspectos imunes na ST, incluindo anticorpos antiestreptocócicos e antinúcleos da base, e sua terapêutica imunebaseada, discutindo a validade do conceito de PANDAS. CONCLUSÕES: As evidências ainda não são satisfatórias no que tange a uma base auto-imune pós-estreptocócica para a ST. Um aprimoramento dos métodos investigativos e na seleção das amostras pode trazer maiores contribuições à questão.

BACKGROUND: Tourette's syndrome (TS) is characterized by the presence of motor tics and at least one phonic tic. Some clinical similarities with Sydenham's chorea (SC) lead to the hypothesis of a new group of disorders associated with an autoimmune process due to a streptococcal infection (PANDAS). Objective: To review the literature in search of evidence on the existence of post-streptococcal autoimmune mechanisms involved with the etiopathogenesis of TS. METHODS: A systematic review with the terms "Tourette", "tic", "PANDAS", "antibodies", "streptococcal" and "rheumatic" was carried on using the MedLine. RESULTS: The search found 238 articles. Fifty and three articles were selected which also had their references reviewed. The results of studies that investigated autoimmune aspects of TS, including anti-streptococcal and anti-basal ganglia anti-bodies, and immune-based therapy, were presented and discussed. DISCUSSION: The evidences to date are not satisfactory regarding a post-streptococcal auto-immune process in ST. The improvement on investigative methods and sample selection might contribute to this question.

Value of a Diagnostic RSS (rapid streptococcal screening) Test for Patients with Sore Throat in the Emergency Department

PURPOSE: This paper compares a RSS (Rapid Streptococcal Screening) detection test with a throat culture. The RSS detection kit is an easier and faster way to identify the infection of Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus (GABHS), the most common causal agent of acute bacterial pharyngitis. We also examine the clinical symptoms that are associated with bacterial pharyngitis. METHODS: A throat culture and a RSS detection test were performed simultaneously to all 239 patients who were suspected of having acute pharyngitis, and visited the emergency department between September 1st, 2002, and June 30th, 2003. Then the values of the RSS detection test were analyzed comparatively on a chi square test. The correlation between Centor criteria clinical features and bacterial pharyngitis was examined through a logic regression test. RESULTS: Comparative analysis of the results of a throat culture and RSS detection test showed a test sensitivity of 83.6%, specificity was 97.2%, and the kappa coefficient was 0.83 (95% C.I: 0.75~0.91). This suggests that the RSS detection test is valuable statistically. CONCLUSION: The RSS detection test is more accurate than the diagnosis of bacterial pharyngitis based on clinical features. Assuming that all patients with acute pharyngitis take antibiotics, an RSS detection test reduce of unnecessary antibiotics use.

Síndromes neuropsiquiátricas pós-estreptocócicas / Post-streptococcal neuropsychiatric syndromes

Nesta revisão narrativa, o nosso objetivo foi descrever as síndromes neuropsiquiátricas pós estreptocócicas e discuti-las à luz das evidências científicas atuais sobre os possíveis mecanismos patogenéticos envolvidos. Nos últimos anos, uma série de distúrbios do movimento, como tiques, distonia, parkinsonismo, e transtornos psiquiátricos, como o transtorno obsessivo-compulsivo (TOC) e o transtorno da hiperatividade com déficit de atenção (THDA), vem sendo considerada parte do espectro das manifestações pós-estreptocócicas. O termo PANDAS (acrônimo do inglês: pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with streptococcus) foi inclusive cunhado para descrever um subgrupo de pacientes com TOC e tiques que inibe flutuação clínica dos sintomas associada a infecção estreptocócica. Entretanto a análise crítica das evidências clinicolaboratoriais não apóia esse espectro ampliado das manifestações pós-estreptocócicas. Apenas na coréia de Sydenham há evidências consistentes de patogênese mediada por processo auto-imune pós-estreptocócico.

In this narrative review, our objective was to describe the post-streptococcal neuropsychiatric syndromes and to discuss the possible pathogenetic mechanisms involved in their clinical expression. Recently, several movement disorders, such as tics, dystonia, and parkinsonism, and psychiatric disorders like obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD) and attention deficit hyperativity disorder (ADHD), are being considered part of a putative spectrum of post-streptococcal infection disorder. The term PANDAS (pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with streptococcus) has been introduced to describe a subset of patients with these diagnoses in which onset of symptoms or symptom exacerbations are related to streptococcal infection. However the critical analysis of clinical and laboratory data does not support the hypothesis of an extended spectrum of post-streptococcal neuropsychiatric disorders. Only for Sydenham chorea there is consistent evidence for a post-streptococcal autoimmune mediated pathogenesis.

Health economic evaluation of CDC s recommendation (1996 and 2002) for prevention of early onset group B streptococcal disease in Thailand

Background: Group B streptococcus (GBS) infection is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the neonatal period in the USA. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a recommendation to prevent early-onset GBS infection in 1996 and a revised recommendation in 2002. Objectives: To perform a health economic analysis of the CDC recommendation using clinical data currently available in Thailand. Study design: Health economic analysis. Materials and Methods: After reviewing the literature regarding clinical data I Thailand, a decision analysis was performed to evaluate the outcomes of 3 strategies: universal culture screening, intrapartum risk factors assessment, and no prevention. Outcomes: The medical care cost for each strategy and incremental medical care cost for the prevention of one GBS case were analyzed. Results: Under the present conditions in Thailand and using the cost estimated from Siriraj Hospital’s charge in the year 2005, the no prevention practice was the most cost-effective strategy. The incremental medical care cost to prevent one GBS case for the universal culture screening and the intrapartum risk assessment were 594,754.17 Baht and 83,677.78 Baht, respectively. Conclusion: Although neither of the preventive strategies recommended by the CDC was cost-effective in general clinical practice in the present situation in Thailand, the intrapartum risk assessment strategy may be reasonable because the incremental cost to prevent one GBS case was less than 100,000 Baht.

A Case of Poststreptococcal Reactive Arthritis / 감염과화학요법

Poststreptococcal reactive arthritis (PSRA) is associated with recent streptococcal infections. However, PSRA is distinct from acute rheumatic fever by its clinical manifestations: non-migrating arthritis, erythema nodosum or erythema multiforme, and transient elevation of serum transaminases. We experienced a 33-year-old man who presented with fever, arthritis of both knees and ankles, and erythema nodosums on extensor surfaces of lower legs which developed 6 days after the onset of pharyngitis symptoms. Blood and urine cultures were negative. Throat culture was negative for group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus. The ASO titers increased up to 2080 IU/mL in sequential monitoring. The result of bone scan was compatible to arthritis of both knees and ankles. There were no signs or symptom of carditis. He showed clinical improvement with anti-inflammatory drugs (naproxen 1,000 mg/day and prednisolone 7.5 mg/d). PSRA should be included in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with arthritis combined with fever.

A Case of Poststreptococcal Reactive Arthritis / 감염과화학요법

Poststreptococcal reactive arthritis (PSRA) is associated with recent streptococcal infections. However, PSRA is distinct from acute rheumatic fever by its clinical manifestations: non-migrating arthritis, erythema nodosum or erythema multiforme, and transient elevation of serum transaminases. We experienced a 33-year-old man who presented with fever, arthritis of both knees and ankles, and erythema nodosums on extensor surfaces of lower legs which developed 6 days after the onset of pharyngitis symptoms. Blood and urine cultures were negative. Throat culture was negative for group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus. The ASO titers increased up to 2080 IU/mL in sequential monitoring. The result of bone scan was compatible to arthritis of both knees and ankles. There were no signs or symptom of carditis. He showed clinical improvement with anti-inflammatory drugs (naproxen 1,000 mg/day and prednisolone 7.5 mg/d). PSRA should be included in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with arthritis combined with fever.