Bacteremia due to Streptococcus pyogenes: presentation of a case

Abstract

Streptococcus pyogenes is the main bacterial pathogen isolated in acute pharyngitis, occasionally it is the causal agent of pneumonia and bacteremia, generally associated with viral infections (influenza, measles). A 5-year-old girl with respiratory distress is admitted to the pediatric ward. Pneumonia was verified by radiographic plate, he entered respiratory mechanical assistance and antibiotic treatment was started. Two hours later, he presented symptoms of septic shock, generalized coagulopathy, and multiple organ failure with subsequent death. Blood cultures, CSF, and post-mortem nasopharyngeal aspirate are taken and sent to the laboratory. The blood cultures are positive and show Gram-positive Gram cocci staining and the biochemical tests: Pyr (+), Bc (+), serological tests point to group A beta hemolytic Streptococcus. The CSF was negative. The nasopharyngeal aspirate showed Influenza B as a result. Streptococcus pyogenes can produce very serious conditions, complicating and culminating in a septic shock caused by the toxin of the microorganism whose course is fulminant.