Skip to main content

Streptococcus Pyogenes: Resistant, Tolerant, Neither or Both?

  • Chapter
Antimicrobial Resistance

Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((AEMB,volume 390))

  • 267 Accesses

Abstract

The role of Streptococcus pyogenes in pharyngitis as well as its importance in the sequelae of that infection is well known and a constant concern. However, in the last several years, the number of life-threatening infections caused by S. pyogenes, such as toxic shock-like syndrome and severe invasive disease, have increased the concern about this organism.1,2,3

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. E.L. Kaplan. The resurgence of group A streptococcal infections and their sequelae. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 1991; 10: 55–57.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. P.H. Mäkelä and M. Jahkola. Group A streptococci must be taken seriously. Finn Med J 1989; 44: 419–422.

    Google Scholar 

  3. R.R. Martin and E.A. Hoiby. Streptococcal serogroup A epidemic in Norway 19871988. Scand J Infect Dis 1990; 22: 421–429.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. T.C. Eickhoff and M. Finland: In vitro susceptibility of group A beta-hemolytic streptococci to 18 antibiotics. Am J Med Sci 1965; 261–268.

    Google Scholar 

  5. J.H. Simon and W. Sakai. Staphylococcal antagonism to penicillin-G therapy of hemolytic streptococcal pharyngeal infection: effect of oxacillin. Pediatrics 1963; 34: 463–469.

    Google Scholar 

  6. P.G. Quie, H.C. Pierce, and L.W. Wannamaker. Influence of penicillinaseproducing staphylococci on the eradication of group A streptococci from the upper respiratory tract by penicillin treatment. Pediatrics 1966; 37: 467–476.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. M. Markowitz, I. Kramer, E. Goldstein, et al. Persistence of group A streptococci as related to penicillinase-producing staphylococci: comparison of penicillin V potassium and sodium nafcillin. J Pediatr 1967; 71: 132–137.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. I. Brook. The role of beta-lactamase-producing bacteria in the persistence of streptococcal tonsillar infection. Rev Infect Dis 1984; 6: 601–607.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. I. Brook, P. Yocum, and K. Shah. Surface vs core-tonsillar aerobic and anaerobic flora in recurrent tonsillitis. JAMA 1980; 244: 1696–1698.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. I. Brook. Emergence and persistence of ß-lactamase-producing bacteria in the oropharynx following penicillin treatment. Arch Otolarygol Head Neck Surg 1988: 114: 667–670.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. I. Brook. Treatment of patients with acute recurrent tonsillitis due to group Aß-hemolytic streptococci: a prospective randomized study comparing penicillin and amoxycillin/clavulanate potassium. J Antimicrob Chemother 1989; 24: 227–233.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. K. Roos, E. Grahn, and S.E. Holm. Evaluation of ß-lactamase activity and microbial interference in treatment failures of acute streptococcal tonsillitis. Scand J Infect Dis 1986, 18: 313–319.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. T.D. Smith, W.C. Huskins, K.S. Kim, and E.L. Kaplan. Efficacy of J3-lactamaseresistant penicillin and influence of penicillin tolerance in eradicating streptococci from the pharynx after failure of penicillin therapy for group A streptococcal pharyngitis. J Pediatr 1987, 110: 777–782.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. E.L. Kaplan and D.R. Johnson. Eradication of group A streptococci from the upper respiratory tract by amoxicillin with clavulanate atter oral penicillin treatment failure. J Pediatr 1988, 113: 400–403.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. M.F. Randolph, J.J. Redys, J.B. Cope, and K.E. Morris. Streptococcal pharyngitis: posttreatment carrier prevalence and clinical relapse in children treated with clindamycin palmitate or phenoxymethyl penicillin. Clin Pediatr (Phila) 1975; 14: 119–122.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. R.R. Tanz, S.T. Shulman, P.A. Sraka, S. Manubio, I. Brook, and R. Yoqev: Lack of influence of beta-lactamase-producing flora on recovery of group A streptococcic after treatment of acute pharyngitis. J Ped 1990; 117, 849–863.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. S. Handwerger and A. Tomasz. Antibiotic tolerance among clinical isolates of bacteria. Rev Infect Dis 1985; 7, 368–386.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. A. Tomasz, A. Albino, and E. Zanati. Multiple antibiotic resistance in a bacterium with suppressed autolytic system. Nature 1970, 277: 138–140.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. B.F. Woolfrey, R.T. Lally, and M.N. Ederer. Evaluation of oxacillin tolerance in Staphylococcus aureus by a novel method. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 1985; 28: 381–388.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. G.L. Hobby, K. Meyer, and E. Chaffee. Observations on the mechanism of action of penicillin. Proc Soc Exp Biol 1942; 50: 281–285.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. T.D. McDowell and C.L. Lemanski. Absence of autolytic activity (peptidoglycan nicking) in penicillin-induced nonlytic death in a group A streptococcus. J Bact 1988; 170: 1783–1788

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. T.D. McDowell and K.E. Reed. Mechanism of penicillin killing in the absence of bacterial lysis. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 1989; 33: 1680–1685.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. A.E. Tuomanen, R. Cozcak, W. Tosch, O. Zak and A. Tomasz. The rate of killing of Escherichia coli by J3-lactam antibiotics is proportional to the rate of bacterial growth. J Gen Microbiol 1986; 132: 1297–1304.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. T.D. McDowell and K.E. Reed. Effects of medium composition on penicillin-induce hydrolysis and loss of RNA and culture turbidity in group A. Streptococci. J Bact 1989; 171:6668–6673.

    Google Scholar 

  25. P.A.-James. Comparison of four methods for the determination of MIC and MBC of penicillin for viridans streptococci and the implications for penicillin tolerance. J Antimicrob Chemother 1990; 25: 209–216.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. W. Van Asselt and R.P. Mouton. Detection of penicillin tolerance in Streptococcus pyogenes. J Med Microbiol 1993; 38: 197–202.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. B.F. Woolfrey, R.T. Lally, M.N. Ederer, and M. Gresserburns. Oxacillin killing curve patterns of Staphylococcus aureus isolates by agar dilution plate count method. Antimicrob. Agent Chemother 1987; 31: 16–20.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. H. Eagle and A.D. Musselman. The rate of bactericidal action of peniccillin in vitro as a function of its concentration and its paradoxically reduced at high concentrations against certain organisms. J Exp Med 1948; 88: 99–131.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. J.A. Moody, S. Stewart-Wigglesworth, and B.F. Woolfrey. Absence of the paradoxical effect when determining the bactericidal activity of penicillin against penicillin-susceptible strains of viridans group streptococci. Cur Therap Res 1992; 51: 763–771.

    Google Scholar 

  30. K.S. Kim. Clinical perspectives on penicillin tolerance. J Ped 1988; 112: 509–514.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. J.B. Gunnison, M.A. Fraher, and E. Jawetz. Persistence of Staphylococcus aureus in penicillin in vitro. J Gen Microbiol 1964; 35: 335–349.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. M.L. Higgins, T.D. McDowell, U.B. Sleytr, M. Mychajlonka, and G.D. Shockman. Effects of penicillin on macromolecular synthesis and surface growth of a tolerant streptococcus as studied by computer reconstruction methods. J Bact 1980; 144: 1168–1173.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. T.D. McDowell, W. McCurdy, and K.E. Reed. Talkback regulation: a regulatory response to the inhibitions of cell surface growth. Microbios. 1989; 47: 187–204.

    Google Scholar 

  34. M. Mychajlonka, T.D. McDowell, and G.D. Shockman. Inhibition of peptidoglycan, ribonucleic acid and protein synthesis in tolerant strains of Streptococcus mutans. Antibicrob Agents Chemother 1980; 17: 572–582.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. T. Horaud, C. Le Bouguenec, and K. Pepper. Molecular genetics of resistance to macrolides, lincosamides and streptogramin B (MLS) in streptococci. J Antimicrob Chemother 1985; 16 (Suppl A): 111–35.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. B. Weisblum. Inducible resistance to macrolides, lincosamides and streptogramin type B antibiotics: the resistance phenotype, its biological diversity, and structural elements that regulate expression–a review. J Antimicrob Chemother 1985; 16 (Suppl A): 63–90.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. J.M.S. Dixon and A.E. Lipinski. Infections with beta-hemolytic Streptococcus resistant to lincomycin and erythromycin and observations on zonal-pattern resistance to lincomycin. J Infect Dis 1974; 130: 351–356.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. G.R. Istre, D.F. Welch, M.I. Marks, and N. Moyer. Susceptibility of group A beta-hemolytic streptococci isolates to penicillin and erythromycin. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 1981; 20: 244–6.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. G. Zackrisson, L. Lind, K. Roos, and P. Larsson. Erythromycin-resistant beta-hemolytic streptococci group A in Göteborg, Sweden. Scand J Infect Dis 1988; 20: 419–20.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. M. Borzani, F. Varotto, L. Garlaschi, F. Conio, M. Dellolio, and P. Careddu. Clinical and microbiological evaluation of mycomycin activity against group A beta-hemolytic streptococci in pediatric patients. J Chemother 1989; 1: 35–8.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. E. Perez-Trallero, J.M. Garcia-Arenzana, and M. Urbieta-Ergana. Erythromycin resistance in streptococci. Lancet 1989; 2: 444–5.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. N. Stingemore, G.R.J. Francis, M. Toohey, and D.B. McGechie. The emergence of erythromycin resistance in Streptococcus pyogenes in Fremantle, Western Australia. Med J Aust 1989; 150: 626–31.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. R.J.D. Scott, J. Naidoo, N.F. Lightfoot, and R.C. George. A community outbreak of group A beta-haemolytic streptococci with transferable resistance to erythromycin. Epidemiol Infect 1989; 102: 85–91.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. R.C. Spencer, P.F. Wheat, J.T. Magee, and E.H. Brown. Erythromycin resistance in streptococci. Lancet 1989; 1: 168.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. R.R. Wittier, S.M. Yamada, J.W. Bass, R. Hamill, R.A. Wiebe, and D.P. Ascher. Penicillin tolerance and erythromycin resistance of group A beta-hemolytic streptococci in Hawaii and the Philippines. Am J Dis Child 1990; 144: 587–9.

    Google Scholar 

  46. G. Phillips, D. Parratt, G.V. Orange, I. Harper, H. McEwan, and N. Young. Erythromycin-resistant Streptococcus pyogenes. J Antimicrob Chemother 1990; 25: 723–4.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. L. Holmstrom, B. Nyman, M. Rosengren, S. Wallander, and ‘F. Ripa. Outbreaks of infections with erythromycin-resistant group A streptococci in child day care centres. Scand J Infect Dis 1990; 22: 179–85.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. J.M.S. Dixon: Case reports: Group A streptococcus resistant to erythromycin and lincomycin. Can Med Assoc J 1968; 99: 1093–1094.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. J.M.S. Dixon and A.E. Lipinski: Resistance of group A beta-hemolytic streptococci to lincomycin and erythromycin. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 1972; 1: 333339.

    Google Scholar 

  50. H. Jarvinen, A. Nissinen, and P. Houvinen: Erythromycin resistance in group A streptococci. Lancet 1989; 1: 1022–1023.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. G. Phillips, D. Parratt, and G.V. Orange, et al.: Erythromycin-resistant Streptococcus pyogenes. J Antimicrob Chemother 1990; 25: 723–724.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. L. Holmstrom, B. Nyman, N. Rosengren, et al.: Outbreaks of infections with erythromycin-resistant group A streptococci in child day care centers. Scand J Infec Dis 1990; 22: 179–185.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. H. Seppala, A. Nissinen, H. Jarvinen, et al.: Resistance to erythromycin in group A streptococci. N Engl J Med 1992; 326: 292–297.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. G.R. Istre, D.F. Welch, M.I. Marks, et al.: Susceptibility of group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus isolates to penicillin and erythromycin. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 1981; 20: 244–246.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. R.I. Haddy, R.C. Gordon, L. Shamiyeh, et al.: Erythromycin resistance in group A beta-hemolytic streptococci. Pediatr Infect Dis J 1982; 1: 236–238.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  56. E.J.L. Lowbury and L. Hurst. The sensitivity of staphylococci and other wound bacteria to erythromycin, oleandomycin and spiramycin. J Clin Pathol 1959; 12: 163–169.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  57. Y. Miyamoto, K. Takizawa, Y. Matsushima, Y Asai, and S. Nakatsuka. Stepwise acquisition of multiple drug resistance by beta-hemolytic streptococci and difference in resistance pattern by type. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 1978; 12: 399–404.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  58. S. Maruyama, H. Yoshioka, K. Fujita, M. Takimoto, and Y. Satake. Sensitivity of group A streptococci to antibiotics. Am J Dis Child 1979; 133: 1143–1145.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. C.E. Cherubin and D.B. Azabache. While nearly no one was watching: the rise of erythromycin and clindamycin resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae and Streptococcus pyogenes. The Antimicrobic Newsletter 1992; 8: 37–44.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  60. B.A. Gunn, D.K. Ohashi, C.A. Gaydos, and E.S. Holt. Selective and enhanced recovery of group A and B streptococci from throat cultures with sheep blood agar containing sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim. J Clin Microbiol 1977; 5: 660–665.

    Google Scholar 

  61. M. Markowitz, M.A. Gerber, and E.L. Kaplan. Treatment of streptococcal pharynga-tonsillitis: Reports of penicillin’s demise are premature. J Pediatr 1993; 123: 679–685.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  62. M.E. Pichichero, F.A. Disney, G.H. Aronvitz, C. Ginsburg, and M.A. Stillerman. A multicenter, randomized, single-blind evaluation of cefuroxime axefil and phenoxymethyl penicillin in the treatment of streptococcal pharyngitis. Clin Pediatr 1987: 26: 453–458.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  63. W.M. Gooch, S.E. McLinn, G.H. Aronvitz, M.E. Pichichero, A. Kumar, E.L. Kaplan, and M.J. Ossi. Efficacy of cefuroxime axetil suspension compared with that of penicillin V suspension in children with group A streptococcal pharyngitis. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 1993; 37: 159–163.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1995 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Mortensen, J.E., McDowell, T. (1995). Streptococcus Pyogenes: Resistant, Tolerant, Neither or Both?. In: Jungkind, D.L., Mortensen, J.E., Fraimow, H.S., Calandra, G.B. (eds) Antimicrobial Resistance. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 390. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-9203-4_9

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-9203-4_9

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4757-9205-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4757-9203-4

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics