Bacteremia Caused by Group G Streptococci, Taiwan
Bacteremia Caused by Group G Streptococci, Taiwan
A retrospective observational study in Taiwan, 1998-2004, identified 92 patients with group G streptococcal bacteremia; 86 had Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies equisimilis. The most common diagnosis was cellulitis (48 cases), followed by primary bacteremia (34 cases). Infection recurred in 9 patients. Mortality rate was low (3.3%); resistance to quinupristin-dalfopristin was high.
Group G streptococci (GGS) are part of the normal microbial flora of the gastrointestinal tract, vagina, and skin and cause a variety of infections. Major underlying illnesses in patients with GGS bacteremia are malignancy, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, bone and joint diseases, and cirrhosis. Reported mortality rates for patients with GGS bacteremia also vary, ranging from 5% to 30%. Recent studies of ß-hemolytic streptococci isolates carrying Lancefield group G antigen showed that they consist of Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies equisimilis, S. anginosus, and S. canis. To supplement the limited clinical informationabout bacteremia caused by GGS strains identified to the species level, we conducted a retrospective observational study.
A retrospective observational study in Taiwan, 1998-2004, identified 92 patients with group G streptococcal bacteremia; 86 had Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies equisimilis. The most common diagnosis was cellulitis (48 cases), followed by primary bacteremia (34 cases). Infection recurred in 9 patients. Mortality rate was low (3.3%); resistance to quinupristin-dalfopristin was high.
Group G streptococci (GGS) are part of the normal microbial flora of the gastrointestinal tract, vagina, and skin and cause a variety of infections. Major underlying illnesses in patients with GGS bacteremia are malignancy, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, bone and joint diseases, and cirrhosis. Reported mortality rates for patients with GGS bacteremia also vary, ranging from 5% to 30%. Recent studies of ß-hemolytic streptococci isolates carrying Lancefield group G antigen showed that they consist of Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies equisimilis, S. anginosus, and S. canis. To supplement the limited clinical informationabout bacteremia caused by GGS strains identified to the species level, we conducted a retrospective observational study.
