A Serological Study of Haemolytic Streptococci

Infections due to group C streptococci in man

Although a common cause of infection in animals, group C streptococci are rarely noted to be pathogenic in man. A total of 150,000 blood cultures obtained at the Mayo Clinic from 1968 to 1977 revealed group C streptococci in only eight patients. Acute bacterial endocarditis, meningitis, pheumonia, cellulitis and bacteremia due to group C streptococci are described in a host who had undergone immunosuppression (immunosuppressed host), and the relatively few cases previously reported are reviewed. Although severe, these infections may respond favorably to penicillin therapy. Endocarditis caused by group D streptococci is acute and destructive, and associated with early cardiac decompensation. The manifestations of cellulitis and pneumonia are similar to those when group A streptococci are causative organisms. Meningitis due to group C streptococci is acute and severe, and responds slowly to antimicrobial therapy. Colonization also occurs.

[Group B-streptococci in the female genitals (author's transl)]

Swabs taken from the vagina, cervix and urethra of 152 women without any clinical signs of infection were studied for the presence of group B streptococci. 36.8% of these women were found to have group B streptococci in their genital tract. Isolation of streptococci took place by way of enrichment and selective culturing, determination of biochemical criteria as well as serological grouping and typing. Streptococci of human or animal origin which may be identified by precipitating group B antiserum were found to be identical. There were no criteria for a differentiation between human and animal (bovine) group B strains. Epidemiological associations between human infections and the consumption of raw milk containing galt streptococci have never been confirmed. Group B streptococci are present indepently in animals and humans. In humans, they may be present as saprophytes in the throat and female genitals and also cause severe disease like endocarditis and meningitis. There is no proof of the etiologic role as an agent of zooanthroponoses.

Milk epidemic of scarlet fever and angina, originating from a milkmaid with scarlatinal otitis media

A report is given of a milk epidemic of scarlatinal angina, comprising 118 cases of scarlet fever and about fifty cases of sore throat.

The infection was spread through contamination of the milk from a milkmaid with purulent otitis media after non-recognized scarlet fever.

On cultivation,Streptococcus pyrogenes, group A (Lancefield), type 3 (Griffith) was isolated from 108 of these patients and from pus from the ear of the milkmaid. The cows, on the other hand, and their milk were found to be normal (two examinations at an interval of 6 days).

Inquiry into the conditions under which the milk was transported from the producer via the dairy to the consumers and information concerning the distribution and consumption of the milk confirmed in all details the assumption as to the causal connexion between the otitis media in the milkmaid and the outbreak of the epidemic.

This epidemic furnishes an example of transmission of the infection from man directly through the milk to a fairly large number of consumers without any intermediate infection (mastitis) in the cows.

Clinically the cases in this epidemic may be said, on the whole, to be mild; still, one of the patients died of complicating bronchopneumonia.