Introduction
Streptococcus pyogenes is a bacteria responsible for a wide range of diseases. They include pharyngitis, impetigo, a skin infection, scarlet fever, rheumatic fever, and toxic shock syndrome (TSS) (Burch, 2008). However, the focus of this research will be on necrotizing fasciitis (NF). Although necrotizing fasciitis is rare, it can be lethal. It is commonly known as “flesh-eating bacteria” (touching base, 2001) for its ability to destroy the skin tissue. For the most part, it is transmitted do to poor sanitation and exposed wounds (Saltus, 1994). Not everyone who comes into contact with the bacteria show symptoms; it can have no effect on them while on others it can be problematic (Saltus, 1994). During the American civil war, …show more content…
It is a gram-positive bacteria that under the microscope looks like a chain of pearls (Smith, 2005). GAS is distinguishable from other groups because it contains a carbohydrate antigen that the others do not have (Smith, 2005). Another distinction is that GAS is sensitive to the antibiotic bacitracin which inhibits the growth of strains by approximately 95% whereas the other non-a groups are resistant to it (Khan, 2014). S. pyogenes grows best in media containing blood with 10% of CO2 in the environment (Stevens). The bacterium only infects humans (touching base, 2001). Joseph Ferretti along with other colleagues from the University of Oklahoma reported the complete genome sequence (touching base, 2001). There are roughly 1800 genes, 40 of them have virulence genes which is more than any other bacteria contains (Burch, 2008). GAS have been classified into different groups A through O based on acid extractable carbohydrate antigens of the cell wall through extensive work of Rebecca Lancefield (Stevens, n.d.). Necrotizing fasciitis can be contracted through exposed cuts, …show more content…
Some individuals might only need antibiotic treatment while others might need a removal of damage tissues. Penicillin is commonly used for most bacterial infections, however, for a disease caused by S. pyogenes it does not work; that is because once this organism penetrates the epithelial cells penicillin can no longer effective in killing the microbe (Khan, 2014). Along with antibiotic treatment, surgery might be required. Procedures such as lumbar puncture, surgical drainage, and fasciotomy are included (Khan, 2014). Erythromycin is use to treat S. pyogenes, but over the last 30 years it has shown resistance around the world (Stevens, n.d.). Fortunately, there are another option called retapamulin. It derives from pleuromutilin which inhibits protein synthesis in the 50s ribosome (Nagabushan, 2010). Children over nine months and adults can use this type of treatment. It is commonly prescribed as a 1% ointment to be used twice daily for 5 continuous days. A thin layer should be applied then it needs to be covered either a sterile bandage or a gauze (Nagabushan, 2010). However, there are side effects that come with the antibiotic; this include: redness, swelling, eczema, burning, and oozing of the area (Nagabushan,
Streptococcus pyogenes is a bacteria responsible for a wide range of diseases. They include pharyngitis, impetigo, a skin infection, scarlet fever, rheumatic fever, and toxic shock syndrome (TSS) (Burch, 2008). However, the focus of this research will be on necrotizing fasciitis (NF). Although necrotizing fasciitis is rare, it can be lethal. It is commonly known as “flesh-eating bacteria” (touching base, 2001) for its ability to destroy the skin tissue. For the most part, it is transmitted do to poor sanitation and exposed wounds (Saltus, 1994). Not everyone who comes into contact with the bacteria show symptoms; it can have no effect on them while on others it can be problematic (Saltus, 1994). During the American civil war, …show more content…
It is a gram-positive bacteria that under the microscope looks like a chain of pearls (Smith, 2005). GAS is distinguishable from other groups because it contains a carbohydrate antigen that the others do not have (Smith, 2005). Another distinction is that GAS is sensitive to the antibiotic bacitracin which inhibits the growth of strains by approximately 95% whereas the other non-a groups are resistant to it (Khan, 2014). S. pyogenes grows best in media containing blood with 10% of CO2 in the environment (Stevens). The bacterium only infects humans (touching base, 2001). Joseph Ferretti along with other colleagues from the University of Oklahoma reported the complete genome sequence (touching base, 2001). There are roughly 1800 genes, 40 of them have virulence genes which is more than any other bacteria contains (Burch, 2008). GAS have been classified into different groups A through O based on acid extractable carbohydrate antigens of the cell wall through extensive work of Rebecca Lancefield (Stevens, n.d.). Necrotizing fasciitis can be contracted through exposed cuts, …show more content…
Some individuals might only need antibiotic treatment while others might need a removal of damage tissues. Penicillin is commonly used for most bacterial infections, however, for a disease caused by S. pyogenes it does not work; that is because once this organism penetrates the epithelial cells penicillin can no longer effective in killing the microbe (Khan, 2014). Along with antibiotic treatment, surgery might be required. Procedures such as lumbar puncture, surgical drainage, and fasciotomy are included (Khan, 2014). Erythromycin is use to treat S. pyogenes, but over the last 30 years it has shown resistance around the world (Stevens, n.d.). Fortunately, there are another option called retapamulin. It derives from pleuromutilin which inhibits protein synthesis in the 50s ribosome (Nagabushan, 2010). Children over nine months and adults can use this type of treatment. It is commonly prescribed as a 1% ointment to be used twice daily for 5 continuous days. A thin layer should be applied then it needs to be covered either a sterile bandage or a gauze (Nagabushan, 2010). However, there are side effects that come with the antibiotic; this include: redness, swelling, eczema, burning, and oozing of the area (Nagabushan,