What are strep?
Streptococci are bacteria that can cause a number of common, but also dangerous, diseases. Depending on their properties, they are divided into different subgroups.
General information on streptococci
- Streptococci belong to the group of cocci, i.e. spheroidal bacteria. This group also includes the staphylococci and the pneumococci.
- Streptococci are gram-positive, so they have a thicker murein shell. The Gram staining of bacteria is used to differentiate between Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and thus to identify pathogens.
- Streptococci arrange themselves in pairs or chains. They then look something like a pearl necklace.
- Streptococci are not spore-forming. Spore-forming bacteria often have the advantage - i.e. the disadvantage for humans - that their spores can survive for years before a suitable host or environment is available.
- Streptococci can also be facultatively anaerobic; In other words, although they actually live in an oxygen-containing environment, they can survive and multiply without oxygen.
Scarlet fever, pneumonia and meningitis are just some of the diseases that ...
These are the different subgroups
Streptococci can be divided into subgroups in two different ways. The basis of the first classification is hemolysis, i.e. the ability of bacteria to dissolve the blood-containing nutrient medium.
- Alpha-hemolytic streptococci only partially lyse the blood, creating a green breeding ground. One therefore speaks of greening streptococci.
- Beta-hemolytic streptococci completely dissolve the blood pigment. A white courtyard is created.
- Gamma hemolytic streptococci do not dissolve the blood pigment at all.
In addition, the streptococci can be divided into sero groups A to Q, of which only the most important groups A to C are presented. This division is based on their surface antigens.
- Group A streptococci are beta hemolytic. They are mainly pathogens in acute respiratory infections such as tonsillitis or otitis media or scarlet fever, in skin infections such as the erysipelas or in infections of the soft tissues. You can have serious complications like the rheumatic fever with its many serious complications or glomerulonephritis, an inflammation of the functional tissue of the kidney, entail. Approximately two weeks after infection with group A beta-hemolytic streptococci, an examination should therefore be carried out for rheumatic fever and nephritis.
- Group B streptococci are primarily responsible for infections of the urogenital tract and the mouth or throat in humans. They can also cause sepsis (blood poisoning), meningitis (inflammation of the meninges), or a wound infection. Group B streptococci are also causative agents of newborn sepsis.
- Group C streptococci are beta hemolytic. They occur, among other things, with sore throat and wound infections.
There are also streptococci that colonize humans without harming them, for example in the oral cavity or in the intestines. Under certain circumstances, these streptococci can lead to diseases if the immune system is weak.
The content of the pages of www.helpster.de was created with the greatest care and to the best of our knowledge and belief. However, no guarantee can be given for the correctness and completeness. For this reason, any liability for possible damage in connection with the use of the information offered is excluded. Information and articles must under no circumstances be viewed as a substitute for professional advice and / or treatment by trained and recognized doctors. The content of www.helpster.de cannot and must not be used to make independent diagnoses or to start treatments.
