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Group C streptococci in human infection: a study of 308 isolates with clinical correlations

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

M. Barnham ,
J. Kerby ,
R. S. Chandler  and
M. R. Millar
M. Barnham
Affiliation:
Department of Microbiology, Harrogate General Hospital, Harrogate. North Yorkshire HG2 7ND
J. Kerby
Affiliation:
Department of Microbiology, Harrogate General Hospital, Harrogate. North Yorkshire HG2 7ND
R. S. Chandler
Affiliation:
Department of Microbiology, Harrogate General Hospital, Harrogate. North Yorkshire HG2 7ND
M. R. Millar
Affiliation:
, Department of Bacteriology, Clarendon Wing, Leeds General Infirmary, Belmont Grove, Leeds LS2 9NS
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A collection of 308 clinical isolates of β-haemolytic Lancefield group C streptococci was assembled from laboratories in England. Nigeria and New Zealand. Of these, 276 isolates were Streptococcus equisimilis. 23 S. milleri and nine S. zooepidemicus. Isolates of S. equisimilis in the African collection, though few, gave higher rates of lactose and raffinose fermentation, aesculin hydrolysis and positive α-galactosidase reactions than those from elsewhere. Erythromycin resistance was found in 1·9% of the English isolates of S. equisimilis.Strains from superficial infections accounted for 88 % of the collection and were most commonly isolated from the upper respiratory tract, skin or wounds. Amongst the 36 patients yielding isolates from deep sites S. equisimilis was found in septicaemia, cellulitis, abscess, peritonitis, septic arthritis, pneumonia, mycotic aneurysm and acute epiglottitis. S. milleri was found in abdominal abscesses, peritonitis, pleural empyema and osteomyelitis and S. zooepidemicus was found in septicaemia, pneumonia, meningitis and septic arthritis. Within the collection an unselected general catchment of 214 isolates of group C streptococci from the laboratories in Yorkshire showed the following species: from 199 superficial infections 94% S. equisimilis. 5% S. milleri and 1% S. zooepidemicus and 15 patients with deeper, more agressive infections 67, 27 and 6·7% of these species respectively.

Type
Special Article
Information
Epidemiology & Infection , Volume 102 , Issue 3 , June 1989 , pp. 379 - 390
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1989

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