Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis bacteremia: an emerging infection

Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2014 Aug;33(8):1303-10. doi: 10.1007/s10096-014-2092-0. Epub 2014 Mar 29.

Abstract

The importance of group C and G Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies equisimilis (S. dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis) as a significant pathogen has recently been better recognized. S. dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis disease can range in severity from milder skin and soft-tissue conditions such as wound infection, erysipelas, and cellulitis, to life-threatening necrotizing fasciitis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome, thus sharing the clinical picture with S. pyogenes. The most common clinical manifestation of bacteremia is cellulitis. An increase in the incidence of S. dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis bacteremia has been recognized. Invasive forms of this infection are most commonly found in elderly patients with underlying comorbidities and skin breakdown. The case fatality in bacteremia has been reported to be 15-18%. In this review, the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and emm types of S. dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis bacteremia are summarized.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bacteremia / drug therapy
  • Bacteremia / epidemiology
  • Bacteremia / microbiology*
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial
  • Humans
  • Streptococcal Infections / drug therapy
  • Streptococcal Infections / epidemiology
  • Streptococcal Infections / microbiology*
  • Streptococcus / drug effects
  • Streptococcus / pathogenicity
  • Virulence Factors / genetics

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Virulence Factors