Group A streptococcus ( GAS ), also known as Streptococcus pyogenes, is a common cause of infections of the upper respiratory tract (pharyngitis) and the skin (impetigo, pyoderma) in children. Less frequently, GAS causes perianal cellulitis, vaginitis, septicemia, pneumonia, endocarditis,…
Reviewed for currency November 8, 2020 Rheumatic Fever Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is a disease characterized by nonsuppurative inflammatory lesions involving primarily the heart, joints, subcutaneous tissues, and central nervous system. In its classic form, ARF is acute, febrile, and…
Acknowledgment The authors acknowledge use of substantial material from this chapter in the previous edition. Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is synonymous with Streptococcus pyogenes, the only species in this group of β-hemolytic streptococci. GAS is a leading pathogenic bacterium affecting…
Acute pharyngitis is one of the most common illnesses for which children and adults in the US seek medical care. There were approximately 10.4 million visits to physician offices for pharyngitis in 2016. It is estimated that a rapid antigen…