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What is Streptococcus Bacteria?

Caitlin Kenney
Caitlin Kenney

Streptococcus bacteria is a genus of coccus, or spherelike, Gram-positive, chained bacteria belonging to the lactic acid bacteria (LAB) group. Individual streptococcus cells may be round or ovoid and all lack the enzyme catylase. Because these cells divide along a single plane, streptococci occur in pairs or in chains.

Like many other types of bacteria in the firmicute phylum, streptococcus bacteria stains dark blue or violet when subject to Gram staining due to the composition of its cell wall. This is what is meant by Gram-positive. As a member of the lactic acid bacteria group, this bacteria is resistant to acidic conditions and thrives on no oxygen or levels of oxygen below the concentration of oxygen in air.

Group A Streptococcus in the throat is know as strep throat.
Group A Streptococcus in the throat is know as strep throat.

Streptococcus bacteria is divided into eighteen alphabetized groups, called Lancefield groups. American bacteriologist Rebecca Craighill Lancefield developed this method of classifying streptococci in 1933 based on the antigens, or antibody producing substances, found in the cell wall of the streptococcus bacteria under examination. Several types of streptococcus do not react to Lancefield grouping, however, and must be classified using hemolysis, which monitors how completely the bacterium breaks down in a blood solution.

A person who has streptococcus bacteria is typically prescribed antibiotics.
A person who has streptococcus bacteria is typically prescribed antibiotics.

The group viridans streptococcus is either non-hemolytic or breaks down only partially, causing the green stain responsible for the name “viridans.” This large and diverse group of streptococcus does not have reliable taxonomy (classification) or nomenclature as of yet. Many types of streptococcus can cause disease and infection in humans, while many others are harmless. Group A streptoccus, Group B streptococcus, Viridans streptococcus and S Pneumoniae are the types most commonly of medical concern.

GAS infections can cause life-threatening illnesses like meningitis.
GAS infections can cause life-threatening illnesses like meningitis.

Group A streptococcus (GAS), or S pyogenes, is one of the most common pathogens in humans. A GAS infection can affect several locations of the body, and are frequently categorized by location. One of the most well known of these is strep throat. Strep throat affects the pharynx and causes several symptoms, among them severe sore throat, swollen tonsils, nausea, headaches and yellow and white patches in the throat.

A child with strep throat should not return to school prior to finishing her or his antibiotic medicine.
A child with strep throat should not return to school prior to finishing her or his antibiotic medicine.

GAS can be deadly as the cause of puerperal fever, or sepsis in women after childbirth. Sepsis is when a microbe enters the bloodstream, possibly causing a serious systemic reaction. GAS was also responsible for attacks of scarlet fever which, like puerperal fever, are now controlled through better hygiene and antibiotics. In the skin, GAS can cause impetigo, cellulitis and erysipelas. GAS infections may also cause pneumonia, meningitis, tonsillitis, septic arthritis and toxic shock syndrome, amongst other diseases.

An untreated strep throat infection can lead to tonsillitis.
An untreated strep throat infection can lead to tonsillitis.

Group B streptococcus bacteria (GBS), or S agalactiae, is frequently found in the urogenital tracts and rectums of women of child-bearing age. Complications may arise in women with compromised immune systems, but it is more commonly significant when transmitted to babies during childbirth. A GBS infection of a newborn can cause meningitis or sepsis, which may lead to death or long term hearing loss. Neonatal meningitis presents differently than adult meningitis, with symptoms of vomiting and fever. For this reason, neonatal meningitis often goes undiagnosed and can be fatal.

Streptococcus pneumoniae, or pneumococcus, is the most common cause of invasive bacterial infection of the elderly.
Streptococcus pneumoniae, or pneumococcus, is the most common cause of invasive bacterial infection of the elderly.

Streptococcus viridans is often responsible for dental infections and the formation of plaque. This type of bacteria, along with Group C, F, G and particularly D, can cause endocarditis, especially when the valves of the heart are previously damaged. Endocarditis is the inflammation of the inner layer of the heart, known as the endocardium.

Streptococcus pneumoniae, or pneumococcus, is the most common cause of invasive bacterial infection of children and the elderly. It can cause pneumonia, sinusitis and meningitis, amongst other diseases. Streptococcus pneumoniae may cause either lobar pneumonia, which affects an entire lung lobe, usually in younger adults, or bronchial pneumonia, which affects the alveoli, tending towards older adults or children.

Discussion Comments

anon1001467

1 tbsp raw honey, 3-5 garlic cloves chopped, 1/8 tsp cayenne. 1 tsp every hour, and it will act like an antibiotic without killing your good gut bacteria. It will also help to boost your immune system.

anon324833

My husband and I have been treated with some of the strongest antibiotics for the streptococcus bacteria and nothing seems to work. We are tired and worn out. We don't know what else to do. Please help us.

anon275630

Can taking a probiotic help to increase lactic acid in the gut, and can it be a source of Strep B in the urine?

--Maria

anon255665

My daughter is 5 years old and has a urinary tract infection with streptococcal bacteria. Please inform me about the dangers to my child.

anon248209

What is the genus and species of streptococcus disease?

anon131002

I had a problem with my face and acne and I have read that streptococcus bacteria is one of the cause of having it. I just wanted to know how does it occur in our body and how do we control its excessive number in our body? -Jake

anon122130

My granddaughter was born last Monday. By Friday, my daughter-in-law had a 102 fever and was admitted to the hospital and diagnosed with Group A strep in the area of the episiotomy. What causes this?

anon88571

whereabouts is the streptococcus cell anyway?

i have found so many different ideas about it but none of them are the same.

anon79878

I have had streptococcus mutated infection of the leg and now it seems to be spreading to other parts of my body. unfortunately I cannot take penicillin.

mentirosa

Streptococcus bacteria that cause strep throat are easily and quickly passed from one person to another.

It is important to take precautions and stay away from the patient. Of course those who help the ill person get well need to take extra precautions.

Also some people are carriers of strep bacteria, but they actually do not get ill themselves.

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    • Group A Streptococcus in the throat is know as strep throat.
      By: Alexander Raths
      Group A Streptococcus in the throat is know as strep throat.
    • A person who has streptococcus bacteria is typically prescribed antibiotics.
      By: ACphoto
      A person who has streptococcus bacteria is typically prescribed antibiotics.
    • GAS infections can cause life-threatening illnesses like meningitis.
      By: rob3000
      GAS infections can cause life-threatening illnesses like meningitis.
    • A child with strep throat should not return to school prior to finishing her or his antibiotic medicine.
      By: vbaleha
      A child with strep throat should not return to school prior to finishing her or his antibiotic medicine.
    • An untreated strep throat infection can lead to tonsillitis.
      By: Dmitry Naumov
      An untreated strep throat infection can lead to tonsillitis.
    • Streptococcus pneumoniae, or pneumococcus, is the most common cause of invasive bacterial infection of the elderly.
      By: Brett Mulcahy
      Streptococcus pneumoniae, or pneumococcus, is the most common cause of invasive bacterial infection of the elderly.
    • A sore throat is a common symptom of streptococcus bacteria infection.
      By: Lsantilli
      A sore throat is a common symptom of streptococcus bacteria infection.