A Review of Streptococcus pyogenes: Public Health Risk Factors, Prevention and Control

Abstract

Streptococcus pyogenes, (colloquially named “group A streptococcus” (GAS)), is a pathogen of public health significance, infecting 18.1 million people worldwide and resulting in 500,000 deaths each year. This review identified published articles on the risk factors and public health prevention and control strategies for mitigating GAS diseases. The pathogen causing GAS diseases is commonly transmitted via respiratory droplets, touching skin sores caused by GAS or through contact with contaminated material or equipment. Foodborne transmission is also possible, although there is need for further research to quantify this route of infection. It was found that GAS diseases are highly prevalent in developing countries, and among indigenous populations and low socioeconomic areas in developed countries. Children, the immunocompromised and the elderly are at the greatest risk of S. pyogenes infections and the associated sequelae, with transmission rates being higher in schools, kindergartens, hospitals and residential care homes. This was attributed to overcrowding and the higher level of social contact in these settings. Prevention and control measures should target the improvement of living conditions, and personal and hand hygiene. Adherence to infection prevention and control practices should be emphasized in high-risk settings. Resource distribution by governments, especially in developed countries, should also be considered.

Streptococcus pyogenes (“Group A Streptococcus”), a Highly Adapted Human Pathogen—Potential Implications of Its Virulence Regulation for Epidemiology and Disease Management

“…Since GAS infections are found worldwide in humans, they are considered a global health problem [ 8 ]. However, the distribution among different populations is determined by differences in the GAS strain virulence factor armory, in a very prominent manner by the M-protein [ 9 ], and the social environment of the affected population [ 10 ]. Therefore, the determinants for the occurrence, the prevalence, and the severity of the diverse non-invasive and invasive GAS diseases are to be searched for in the microorganism, in the host, and in the environment, including the socioeconomic conditions of the affected population.…”

Assessment of the state of the microbial flora of the oropharynx and the level of endotoxemia in patients with HIV infection

“…-основного этиологического фактора нозокомиального инфицирования и рецидивирующего течения инфекций средних и нижних дыхательных путей при вторичной иммуносупрессии [10,11]. С другой стороны, выделенные с той же частотой у наблюдавшихся пациентов бактерии семейства энтеробактерий (роды Escherichia, Klebsiella) Enterococcus spp., а также β-гемолитических стрептококков могут вызывать, как известно, острые и хронические воспалительные заболевания, в том числе в условиях отделений интенсивной терапии [11,12].…”

Composites Based on Gellan Gum, Alginate and Nisin-Enriched Lipid Nanoparticles for the Treatment of Infected Wounds

“…Bacteria can delay the healing procedure at best but can even lead to systemic infection and death at worst [ 1 , 4 ]. Opportunistic bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus , Streptococcus pyogenes , Escherichia coli , or Pseudomonas aeruginosa , easily colonize the wound site and create a protective biofilm, which makes the infection even more challenging to cure [ 5 , 6 , 7 ].…”