Haseki Tıp Bülteni (Dec 2017)

Characteristics of Streptococcus Strains Isolated From Clinical Specimens Other Than Throat Culture and Characteristics of Streptococcal Infections

  • Fatma Ünlü,
  • Onur Özgenç,
  • Alpay Arı,
  • Seher Ayten Coşkuner,
  • Meltem Avcı

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4274/haseki.08108
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 55, no. 4
pp. 292 – 298

Abstract

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Aim: This study was to investigate the laboratory and clinical features of patients in whom Streptococcus spp. were isolated from cultures other than throat cultures. Methods: A total of 161 Streptococcus strains isolated from clinical specimens from 101 (64%) hospitalized patients and 65 (36%) outpatients and clinical and laboratory features of patients were investigated retrospectively. Isolated Streptococcus strains were further identified for type and antibiotic susceptibility according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. Results: Streptococcus strains types were determined as follows; group A (9-5.6%), group B (64-39.7%), group C (2-1.2%), group D (2-1.2%), group G (2-1.2%), viridans (57-32.2%), and Streptococcus pneumonia (24-14,9%). Most frequently observed infections were urinary system infections (52-32.2%), skin and soft tissue infections (48-29.8%) and pulmonary infections (25-15.5%). In 87 (54%) of patients, there was more than one comorbid condition. While all group A Streptococcus pyogenes strains were susceptible to penicillin, 13% of Streptococcus pneumonia were resistant to penicillin and 36.3% were resistant to macrolides. Mortality was observed in eight patients. Conclusion: Invasive streptococcal infections may cause serious mortality and morbidity especially in patients with comorbid conditions. Early detection and appropriate antimicrobial therapy are most important parameters for the management of streptococcal infections.

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