Streptococcus pyogenes, also known as group A beta-haemolytic Streptococcus (GAS) or group A strep, is a frequent coloniser of the upper respiratory tract, skin, and to a lesser degree, the vagina and urinary tract. A person can be an asymptomatic carrier and transmitter of Streptococcus pyogenes.
Group A strep is found more often in vulvovaginal infections in young girls, though is known to be spread between sexual partners and is found in adult women. Group A strep causes vaginitis, which is inflammation of the vagina.
‘Strep throat’ is generally caused by group A strep. Group A strep vulvovaginal and urinary tract infections are less common than throat infections, but because both areas are mucous membranes, co- or cross-infection or colonisation can occur.
The outer capsule of Streptococcus pyogenes is made of hyaluronic acid, which allows it to evade host defences – we have a lot of hyaluronic acid in our tissues. Group A strep can invade epithelial cells, often without being ‘noticed’ by the immune system of the host, resulting in infections. Epithelial cells don’t really allow antibiotics in, so treatment can be challenging.
M protein binds to the fibrinogen on host cells, blocking phagocytosis. Some strains of streptococci have an abundance of M protein and can quickly multiply.
| Condition type | Bacteria |
|---|---|
| Affected systems | Reproductive, Integumentary, Respiratory |
| Sexually Transmissible | |
| Genitourinary Incidence | moderate |
| Age group affected |
|
Microbial information
| Anaerobe / Aerobe | Aerobe |
|---|---|
| Gram stain | Gram-positive |
| Best tests to detect |
|
| Pathogen of |
| Commensal of (Can naturally inhabit, but not necessarily as a healthy addition) |
|
| Optimal growth pH | |
| Conditions correlated with |
|
| Cellular adherence capacities | High |
| Found in healthy vaginas | Possibly |
| Biofilm-forming capacities |
|
| Cellular Morphology |
|
| Microbe Motility | Non-motile |
| Colony Colour |
|
| Substances Produced | |
| Sexually Transmissible | Yes |
What are the symptoms of Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Strep) vulvovaginal infections?
What causes Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Strep) vulvovaginal infections?
- No causes found for Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Strep) vulvovaginal infections, yet.
What are the risk factors associated with Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Strep) vulvovaginal infections?
- No risk factors for Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Strep) vulvovaginal infections, yet.
How do you diagnose Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Strep) vulvovaginal infections?
- No diagnoses found for Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Strep) vulvovaginal infections, yet.
How do you treat Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Strep) vulvovaginal infections?
Treatments for Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Strep) vulvovaginal infections are only for practitioners and people who purchased the book Killing BV and Killing BV for men.
Which treatments are likely to be ineffective for Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Strep) vulvovaginal infections?
- No resistances found for Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Strep) vulvovaginal infections, yet.
What complications are associated with Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Strep) vulvovaginal infections?
References
Emilienne Verkaeren, Loïc Epelboin, Sylvie Epelboin, Nathalie Boddaert, Florence Brossier, Eric Caumes. 2014. International Journal of Infectious Diseases Case Report Recurrent Streptococcus pyogenes genital infection in a woman: test and treat the partner! Volume 29, December 2014, Pages 37-39 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijid.2014.07.026Jack D. Sobel Deana Funaro Edward L. Kaplan. Recurrent Group A Streptococcal Vulvovaginitis in Adult Women: Family Epidemiology. Clinical Infectious Diseases, Volume 44, Issue 5, 1 March 2007, Pages e43–e45, https://doi.org/10.1086/510678Tomas Fiedler, Thomas Köller, and Bernd Kreikemeyer. Streptococcus pyogenes biofilms—formation, biology, and clinical relevance. Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2015; 5: 15. Published online 2015 Feb 11. doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2015.00015 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4324238/