Infecciones por estreptococo

Streptococci are Gram-positive cocci that are arranged in chains or pairs. Most are aerobic or facultative anaerobes. The classification of streptococci has suffered in recent years important changes. Group A streptococci are the most virulent for humans, who are their natural host species. These streptococci can cause pharyngitis, skin infections and soft tissue, bacteremia, endocarditis, meningitis, scarlet fever, pneumonia, rheumatic fever and glomerulonephritis. The group B streptococci usually cause serious infections in postpartum women, infants (neonatal sepsis), septic arthritis and endocarditis. Streptococci of the C and G groups often live normally in animals but can also grow in the mouth, pharynx, intestine, vagina and skin. They are the cause of pharyngitis, pneumonia, wound infections, postpartum and neonatal sepsis, endocarditis and septic arthritis. Group D streptococci normally grow in the lower digestive tract, vagina and surrounding skin and can cause infections of skin and soft tissue, endocarditis, bacteremia and urogenital infections. Most of the esptreptococos are sensitive to penicillin is tratameinto choice.