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J Biol Regul Homeost Agents 2021 06 22;35(3). Epub 2021 Jun 22.

Casa di Cura Villa Montallegro, Genoa, Italy.

Respiratory infections (RI) significantly burden patients, their families, and society. Respiratory infection recurrence (RRI) usually depends on a defect of the immune response, which can be more or less transient and/or selective. In particular, children, older people, heavy smokers, and patients with chronic diseases, characterized by an inadequate immune response, may be at risk of developing RRI. Read More

Front Microbiol 2021 4;12:685343. Epub 2021 Jun 4.

Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.

The acquisition of the phage-encoded superantigen by scarlet fever-associated group A (, GAS) is found in North Asia. Nonetheless, the impact of acquiring by GAS in invasive infections is unclear. This study initially analyzed the prevalence of + GAS among isolates from sterile tissues and blood. Read More

Travel Med Infect Dis 2021 Jun 16:102105. Epub 2021 Jun 16.

Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, Marseille, France; IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France. Electronic address:

Background: The aetiologies of fever are poorly understood in sub-Saharan Africa. We aimed to assess the burden of malaria and bacteria in Côte d'Ivoire.

Methods: Blood samples from 438 febrile and 346 afebrile people were screened using molecular tools. Read More

Trop Med Health 2021 Jun 15;49(1):49. Epub 2021 Jun 15.

Department of Plant Sciences, Microbiology & Biotechnology, Makerere University, P.O Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda.

Background: Rural populations in Uganda rely heavily on medicinal plants for the treatment of bacterial skin infections. However, the efficacy of these medicinal plants for their pharmacological action is not known. The study aimed at evaluating the antibacterial, antioxidant, and sun protection potential of Spermacoce princeae, Psorospermum febrifugum, Plectranthus caespitosus, and Erlangea tomentosa extracts. Read More

Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2021 Jun 12;566:177-183. Epub 2021 Jun 12.

Department of Microbiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan. Electronic address:

Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Streptococcus, GAS) causes a range of human diseases, including life-threatening and severe invasive GAS infections, such as streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS). Several antibiotics, including penicillin, are effective against GAS. Still, invasive GAS diseases have a high mortality rate (>30%). Read More

J Coll Physicians Surg Pak 2021 Jun;30(6):732-734

Department of Emergency Medicine, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.

Acute rhabdomyolysis and elevated transaminases during streptococcal pharyngitis are rare presentations. The proposed pathophysiological mechanisms include direct bacterial invasion and toxin generation. Physicians should be aware of the association between these infections and the above-mentioned complications to facilitate optimal treatment of these patients. Read More

Clin J Am Soc Nephrol 2021 Jun 7. Epub 2021 Jun 7.

S Alexander, Department of Nephrology, Christian Medical College Vellore, Vellore, India

Bacterial infection-related glomerulonephritis occurs concurrent to or following known or unknown infections. It's important to understand the clinical implications of the bacterial isolates, anti-microbial resistance patterns and impact of latency-based classification on kidney and patient outcomes. 501 consecutive adults diagnosed with bacterial infection-related glomerulonephritis between 2005-2017 were included from biopsy registry of 15545 patients at a single center in South India and follow up data collected from electronic medical records till December 2019. Read More

BMJ Open 2021 06 4;11(6):e042816. Epub 2021 Jun 4.

General Practice / Family Medicine, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.

Purpose: The main objective of this review was to describe and quantify the association between (FN) and acute sore throat in primary healthcare (PHC).

Methods: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched Scopus and PubMed for case-control studies reporting the prevalence of FN in patients attending primary care for an uncomplicated acute sore throat as well as in healthy controls. Only studies published in English were considered. Read More

Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2021 Aug 30;565:1-7. Epub 2021 May 30.

Department of Chemistry & Biotechnology, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan; Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan; Medical Proteomics Laboratory, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan. Electronic address:

Streptococcus pyogenes causes a wide range of human infections. Currently, antibiotics are the main treatment for S. pyogenes infection, but serious anti-microbial resistance requires alternative treatment options. Read More

Microorganisms 2021 May 30;9(6). Epub 2021 May 30.

R&D Center, OraPharm, Inc., Seoul 04782, Korea.

Recently discovered preventive effects of probiotics on oral health have attracted interest to their use for the prevention and treatment of various diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties of against , , . , and , the major pathogens of upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs). Read More

J Clin Med 2021 May 10;10(9). Epub 2021 May 10.

German Centre for Infections in Gynecology and Obstetrics, at Helios University Hospital Wuppertal, 42283 Wuppertal, Germany.

There has been an increasing worldwide incidence of invasive group A streptococcal (GAS) disease in pregnancy and in the puerperal period over the past 30 years. Postpartum Group A streptococci infection, and in particular streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (TSS) and necrotizing fasciitis, can be life threatening and difficult to treat. Despite antibiotics and supportive therapy, and in some cases advanced extensive surgery, mortality associated with invasive group A streptococcal postpartum endometritis, necrotizing fasciitis, and toxic shock syndrome remains high, up to 40% of postpartum septic deaths. Read More

ACS Omega 2021 May 26;6(18):12261-12273. Epub 2021 Apr 26.

Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, University City, Sharjah 27272, Unites Arab Emirates.

Among several animals, (rat) lives in polluted environments and feeds on organic waste/small invertebrates, suggesting the presence of inherent mechanisms to thwart infections. In this study, we isolated gut bacteria of rats for their antibacterial activities. Using antibacterial assays, the findings showed that the conditioned media from selected bacteria exhibited bactericidal activities against Gram-negative ( K1, , , , and ) and Gram-positive (, methicillin-resistant , and ) pathogenic bacteria. Read More

Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2021 May 27. Epub 2021 May 27.

Laboratorio de Referencia e Investigación en Taxonomía, Centro Nacional de Microbiología (CNM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain.

The aim of this study is to present the first nationwide microbiological and epidemiological study of invasive group A Streptococcus (iGAS) disease in Spain. One thousand eight hundred ninety-three iGAS isolates were analyzed over 2007-2019. emm typing was performed by sequencing the gene's variable 5' end, exotoxin genes were identified by PCR, and antimicrobial susceptibility explored via the E test and disk diffusion. Read More

Front Cardiovasc Med 2021 11;8:643317. Epub 2021 May 11.

Heart Institute (InCor), School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.

infections continue to be a worldwide public health problem, causing various diseases in humans, with rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease being the most harmful manifestations. Impetigo and post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis are also important sequelae of skin infections. We have developed a candidate vaccine epitope (StreptInCor) that presents promising results in diverse animal models. Read More

Lancet Digit Health 2021 06;3(6):e360-e370

Irish Meningitis and Sepsis Reference Laboratory, Children's Health Ireland at Temple Street, Dublin, Ireland; Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.

Background: Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Neisseria meningitidis, which are typically transmitted via respiratory droplets, are leading causes of invasive diseases, including bacteraemic pneumonia and meningitis, and of secondary infections subsequent to post-viral respiratory disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of invasive disease due to these pathogens during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: In this prospective analysis of surveillance data, laboratories in 26 countries and territories across six continents submitted data on cases of invasive disease due to S pneumoniae, H influenzae, and N meningitidis from Jan 1, 2018, to May, 31, 2020, as part of the Invasive Respiratory Infection Surveillance (IRIS) Initiative. Read More

J Int Med Res 2021 May;49(5):3000605211018442

Department of Orthopedic Trauma, Peking University Fourth School of Clinical Medicine, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Beijing, China.

Objective: Necrotizing soft tissue infection (NSTI) is a rare but life-threatening bacterial infection. This study was performed to analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with NSTI admitted to the intensive care unit of a trauma and burn center in Beijing and to summarize the treatment experience.

Methods: This retrospective study involved patients with NSTI admitted to the intensive care unit from January 2010 to January 2020. Read More

Acta Chir Plast 2021 ;63(1):14-17

Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are a large group of diseases with a wide range of clinically different conditions, some of which can be immediately life-threatening. A number of bacteria play an important role in the etiology of SSTIs, especially gram-positive cocci Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes. In this case report, a young woman with skin defects after a fasciotomy was treated using a dermal substitute application. Read More

Rev Esp Quimioter 2021 Jun 24;34(3):185-192. Epub 2021 May 24.

Miguel Salavert Lletí, Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas. Área Clínica Médica. Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain.

Cefditoren pivoxil is a third-generation oral cephalosporin with extended spectrum against Gram-negative, Gram-positive, and several anaerobic microorganisms, including those frequently implicated in skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI). Despite the fact that there are no approved breakpoint criteria for cefditoren susceptibility, many pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies reassert cefditoren as a good oral antibiotic for the treatment of SSTI. Regarding patients with SSTI, including those infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus y Streptococcus pyogenes, cefditoren showed high cure rates when compared to other oral cephalosporins. Read More

J Glob Antimicrob Resist 2021 May 19;26:4-10. Epub 2021 May 19.

Pfizer Inc., 558 Eastern Point Road, Groton, CT 06340, USA. Electronic address:

Objectives: This study reports the antimicrobial activities of ceftaroline and comparators against bacterial isolates from patients with skin and skin-structure infections (2015-2018).

Methods: A central laboratory performed antimicrobial susceptibility testing according to CLSI broth microdilution methodology. EUCAST breakpoints were used. Read More

Int J Infect Dis 2021 May 19. Epub 2021 May 19.

Tropical Diseases Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, 3052 Victoria, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3052, Victoria, Australia; Melbourne Children's Global Health, Melbourne Children's Campus, The Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, 3052, Australia.

Background: Invasive Staphylococcus aureus (iSA) and group A Streptococcus (iGAS) infections impose significant health burdens globally. Both bacteria commonly cause skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI), which can result in invasive disease. Understanding of iSA and iGAS incidence remains limited in settings with high SSTI burden. Read More

BMC Infect Dis 2021 May 21;21(1):463. Epub 2021 May 21.

Tropical Diseases Research Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

Background: Streptococcus pyogenes causes a profound global burden of morbidity and mortality across its diverse clinical spectrum. To support a new controlled human infection ('challenge') model seeking to accelerate S. pyogenes vaccine development, we aimed to develop an accurate and reliable molecular method for quantifying bacterial load from pharyngeal swabs collected during experimental human pharyngitis. Read More

Infect Immun 2021 May 10. Epub 2021 May 10.

Binghamton Biofilm Research Center, Department of Biology, Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York, USA.

M-type 28 (Group A Strep, GAS) strains are highly associated with life-threatening puerperal infections. Genome sequencing has revealed a large mobile genetic element, RD2, present in most M28 GAS isolates but not found widely in other serotypes. Previous studies have linked RD2 to the ability of M28 GAS to colonize the vaginal tract. Read More

R Soc Open Sci 2021 Mar 10;8(3):201991. Epub 2021 Mar 10.

Division of Molecular Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK.

, also known as Group A Streptococcus (GAS), is a Gram-positive human-exclusive pathogen, responsible for more than 500 000 deaths annually worldwide. Upon infection, GAS commonly triggers mild symptoms such as pharyngitis, pyoderma and fever. However, recurrent infections or prolonged exposure to GAS might lead to life-threatening conditions. Read More

J Med Microbiol 2021 May;70(5)

Department of Microbiology, Seth G S Medical College and King Edward Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, India.

Group A streptococci can trigger autoimmune responses that lead to acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD). Some autoantibodies generated in ARF/RHD target antigens in the S2 subfragment region of cardiac myosin. However, little is known about the kinetics of these antibodies during the disease process. Read More

Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2021 May 4. Epub 2021 May 4.

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.

Severe, invasive Streptococcus pyogenes (Strep A) infections result in greater than 500,000 deaths annually. First line treatment for such infections is benzylpenicillin, often with the addition of clindamycin, but treatment failure can occur with this regimen. This failure has been partially attributed to the inoculum effect, which presents as reduced antibiotic susceptibility during high bacterial density and plateau-phase growth. Read More

mBio 2021 05 4;12(3). Epub 2021 May 4.

Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Some bacterial pathogens utilize cell-cell communication systems, such as quorum sensing (QS), to coordinate genetic programs during host colonization and infection. The human-restricted pathosymbiont (group A streptococcus [GAS]) uses the Rgg2/Rgg3 QS system to modify the bacterial surface, enabling biofilm formation and lysozyme resistance. Here, we demonstrate that innate immune cell responses to GAS are substantially altered by the QS status of the bacteria. Read More

Paediatr Child Health 2021 Jun 28;26(3):e129-e131. Epub 2020 May 28.

Division of Infectious Diseases, Immunology and Allergy, Department of Pediatrics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario.

Group A (GAS) is a common pathogen in paediatric infections. However, it is a rare etiologic agent of bacterial meningitis. We describe a case of meningitis complicated by sensorineural hearing loss in an immunocompetent 7-year-old boy. Read More

Aust J Gen Pract 2021 05;50(5):265-269

MBBS, MIPH, PhD, FRACGP, FARGP, Director, Global Primary Health Care Program The George Institute for Global Health, NSW; Professor, Faculty of Medicine, The University of New South Wales, NSW; General Practitioner, Glebe Family Medical Practice, NSW.

Background: Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is an abnormal immune reaction following Streptococcus pyogenes (Strep A) infection of the throat, and likely the skin. Primary prevention is the prompt and appropriate antibiotic treatment of Strep A infection, and it can reduce the risk of developing ARF and subsequent rheumatic heart disease.

Objective: This article explores current recommendations for primary prevention of ARF in Australia. Read More

Int J Mol Sci 2021 Apr 26;22(9). Epub 2021 Apr 26.

Department of Clinical Immunology and Immunotherapy, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki 4a Street, 20-093 Lublin, Poland.

Paediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome temporally associated with () (PIMS-TS) is a new systemic inflammatory disease that mainly affects children. Its course in many features resembles that of acute rheumatic fever (ARF). Therefore, it is interesting that the experiences with ARF can be used in the management of patients with PIMS-TS. Read More

Microorganisms 2021 Apr 23;9(5). Epub 2021 Apr 23.

Scabies Laboratory, Infectious Diseases Program, Biology Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane 4006, Australia.

Epidemiological studies link infection and impetigo. Scabies mites can promote (Group A ) and infections by breaching the skin barrier and excreting molecules that inhibit host innate immune responses. However, little is known about the composition and the function of the scabies-associated microbiota. Read More