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Streptococcus corresponds to a genus of bacteria characterized by having a rounded shape and to be found arranged in a chain, in addition to having a violet or dark blue color when viewed through the microscope, being, therefore, called gram-positive bacteria.
Much of the species Streptococcus can be found in the body, not causing any kind of disease. However, due to some condition, there may be an imbalance between the various species of microorganisms present in the body and, consequently, this type of bacteria can multiply more easily, causing different types of diseases.
Depending on the speciesStreptococcus that manages to develop, the resulting disease and symptoms may vary:
1. Streptococcus pyogenes
O Streptococcus pyogenes, S. pyogenes or Streptococcus group A is the type that can cause the most serious infections, although it is naturally present in some parts of the body, especially in the mouth and throat, in addition to being present in the skin and respiratory tract.
How to get it:Streptococcus pyogenesit can be easily transmitted from person to person through the sharing of cutlery, kisses or secretions, such as sneezing and coughing, or through contact with wound secretions from infected people.
Diseases it can cause: one of the main diseases caused by S. pyogenes it is pharyngitis, but it can also cause scarlet fever, skin infections, such as impetigo and erysipelas, in addition to tissue necrosis and rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever is an autoimmune disease characterized by the body's own attack on the immune system and which can be favored by the presence of the bacteria. Learn how to identify and treat rheumatic fever.
Common symptoms: symptoms of infection by S. pyogenes vary according to the disease, however the most common symptom is persistent sore throat that occurs more than 2 times a year. The infection is identified through laboratory tests, mainly the test for anti-streptolysin O, or ASLO, which allows the identification of antibodies produced against this bacterium. See how to understand the ASLO exam.
How to treat: Treatment depends on the disease that the bacteria causes, but it is mainly done with the use of antibiotics, such as Penicillin and Erythromycin. It is important that the treatment is carried out according to the doctor's guidance, as it is common for this bacterium to acquire resistance mechanisms, which can make the treatment complicated and result in serious health complications.
2. Streptococcus agalactiae
O Streptococcus agalactiae, S. agalactiae or Streptococcus group B, are bacteria that can be found more easily in the lower intestinal tract and in the female urinary and genital system, and can cause serious infections, especially in newborns.
How to get it: the bacteria is present in the woman's vagina and can contaminate the amniotic fluid or be aspirated by the baby during delivery.
Diseases it can cause: o S. agalactiae it can represent a risk to the baby after birth, which can cause sepsis, pneumonia, endocarditis and even meningitis.
Common symptoms: the presence of this bacterium does not normally cause symptoms, but it can be identified in the woman a few weeks before delivery to verify the need for treatment to prevent infection in the newborn. Already in the baby, the infection can be identified through symptoms such as changes in the level of consciousness, a bluish face and difficulty breathing, which may appear a few hours after delivery or two days later. Understand how the exam is done to identify the presence of Streptococcus group B in pregnancy.
How to treat: treatment is usually done with the use of antibiotics, the most commonly indicated by the doctor Penicillin, Cephalosporin, Erythromycin and Chloramphenicol.
3. Streptococcus pneumoniae
O Streptococcus pneumoniae, S. pneumoniae or pneumococci, can be found in the respiratory tract of adults and, less often in children.
Diseases it can cause: it is responsible for diseases such as otitis, sinusitis, meningitis and, mainly, pneumonia.
Common symptoms: with the main disease being pneumonia, the symptoms are usually respiratory, such as difficulty in breathing, breathing faster than normal and excessive tiredness. Know other symptoms of pneumonia.
How to treat: treatment is done with the use of antibiotics, which should be recommended by the doctor, such as Penicillin, Chloramphenicol, Erythromycin, Sulfametoxazol-Trimethoprim and Tetracycline.
4. Streptococcus viridans
O Streptococcus viridans, also known as S. viridans, is found mainly in the oral cavity and pharynx and has a protective role, preventing the development of other bacteria, such as S. pyogenes.
O Streptococcus mitis, belonging to the group of S. viridans, is present on the surface of teeth and mucous membranes, and its presence can be identified through the visualization of dental plaques. These bacteria can enter the bloodstream during tooth brushing or tooth extraction, for example, especially when the gums are inflamed. However, in healthy people, these bacteria are easily eliminated from the bloodstream, but when the person has a predisposing condition, such as atherosclerosis, use of intravenous drugs or heart problems, for example, the bacteria can grow in a certain location on the body, resulting in endocarditis.
O Streptococcus mutans, which also belongs to the group of S. viridans, is mainly present in tooth enamel and its presence in teeth is directly related to the amount of sugar consumed, being the main responsible for the occurrence of dental caries.
How to confirm infection byStreptococcus
The identification of infection by Streptococcus it is done in the laboratory through specific exams. The doctor will indicate, according to the symptoms presented by the person, the material that will be sent to the laboratory for analysis, which may be blood, discharge from the throat, mouth or vaginal discharge, for example.
Specific tests are carried out in the laboratory to indicate that the bacterium causing the infection is Streptococcus, in addition to other tests that allow the identification of the species of bacteria, which is important for the doctor to complete the diagnosis. In addition to species identification, biochemical tests are carried out to check the sensitivity profile of the bacteria, that is, to check which are the best antibiotics to fight this infection.