Streptococcus pyogenes

Streptococcus pyogenes is a bacterium of the genus Streptococcus. It causes sceptic sore throat and scarlet fever as well as other pyogenic and septicemic infections.

Symptoms of the illnesses: Sore and red throat, pain on swallowing, tonsilitis, high fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, malaise, rhinorrhea; occasionally a rash occurs, onset 1-3 days; the infectious dose is probably quite low (less than 1,000 organisms)

Infection is caused by the eating of infected food stuff. In almost all cases, the foodstuffs were allowed to stand at room temperature for several hours between preparation and consumption. Entrance into the food is the result of poor hygiene, ill food handlers, or the use of unpasteurized milk. Food sources include milk, ice cream, eggs, steamed lobster, ground ham, potato salad, egg salad, custard, rice pudding, and shrimp salad.

Streptococcal sore throat is very common, especially in children. Usually it is successfully treated with antibiotics. Complications are rare and the fatality rate is low.

Outbreaks of septic sore throat and scarlet fever were numerous before the advent of milk pasteurization. Salad bars have been suggested as possible sources of infection. Most current outbreaks have involved complex foods (i.e., salads) which were infected by a food handler with septic sore throat. One ill food handler may subsequently infect hundreds of individuals.

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This article, or an earlier version of it, was compiled from the FDA/CFSAN Bad Bug Book, which is a public domain source. One is advised when making use of this material to check that page for possible updates. Last update before use of the material: February 2002.