Incidence, seasonal pattern, and clinical manifestations of Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies equisimilis bacteremia; a population-based study.

Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies equisimilis (SDSE) is a human pathogen causing severe invasive infections. Population-based studies on SDSE bacteremia are limited. The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence, seasonal pattern, clinical manifestations, and recurrence of SDSE bacteraemia. Records regarding patients aged ≥ 18 years with SDSE bacteremia in the Pirkanmaa health district in August 2015 to July 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 230 SDSE bacteremia episodes were identified, with 217 episodes (involving 211 patients) available for analysis. The mean annual incidence rate of SDSE bacteremia was 16.9/100 000 inhabitants. Most episodes (33%) were detected in the summer (June to August) (p = 0.058). Episodes with bacteremic cellulitis were statistically significantly more common during the summer compared with other seasons (p = 0.008). Cellulitis was the most common presenting clinical manifestation of SDSE bacteremia (68% of all episodes). Risk factors of recurring bacteremia were chronic eczema and/or skin erosion (OR 3.96 [95% CI 1.11-14.1]), heart disease (OR 3.56 [95% CI 1.22-10.4]), diabetes (OR 3.77 [95% CI 1.35-10.5]) and a history of cellulitis. We found a remarkably high incidence of SDSE bacteraemia in the Pirkanmaa health district. Bacteraemic cellulitis, which was the predominant clinical manifestation is more often occurred in the summer. Risk factors of recurring SDSE bacteremia were a history of cellulitis, chronic eczema or skin erosion, diabetes, and heart disease.

Major risk factors for Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis bacteremia: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies equisimilis is a human pathogen causing severe invasive infections. Detailed information on S. dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis bacteremia and especially of predisposing factors are lacking. The purpose of the study is to investigate the risk factors of S. dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis bacteremia compared to the general population in Finland. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all patients older than 18 years with S. dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis bacteremia in the Pirkanmaa health district from August 2015 to July 2018. The risk factors for S. dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis bacteremia were investigated with respect to the normal population in Finland using the Finhealth study data provided by the Finnish institute for health and welfare. The study group was matched with the Finhealth study by age and sex. RESULTS: Altogether 230 cases of S. dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis bacteremia were detected. The medical records of 217 episodes of S. dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis bacteremia (involving 211 patients) were available for analysis. Obesity was a statistically significant risk factor for S. dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis bacteremia (Odds Ratio 2.96 [95% CI 2.22-3.96]). Diabetes and coronary artery disease were also associated with an increased risk of S. dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis bacteremia (OR 4.82 [95% CI 3.62-6.42]) and (OR 3.03 [95% CI 2.18-4.19]). CONCLUSIONS: We found obesity, diabetes, and coronary artery disease to be associated with an increased risk for S. dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis bacteremia. These results provide an increased understanding of risk factors for S. dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis bacteremia.

Two cases of cardiac device-related endocarditis due to Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis (group C or G streptococci).

BACKGROUND: Cardiac device-related endocarditis is a very rare clinical manifestation of S. dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis disease. This pathogen is a common cause of cellulitis. We here report two cases of cardiac device-related endocarditis due to Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis. Blood cultures yielded this pathogen and both patients had recurrent bacteremia. Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography revealed lead vegetations. This is a new description of this pathogen to cause cardiac device-related endocarditis. CASE PRESENTATION: The first case is a 79-year-old finnish woman who received a dual-chamber pacemaker for intermittent complete heart block in April 2011. She had three episodes of S. dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis bacteremia. During first episode she had arthritis of glenohumeral joint. Focus was unknown in the second and third bacteremic episodes. During third bacteremic episode transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) revealed lead vegetation. Patient underwent successful complete system removal. She was treated with benzylpenicillin four million IU six times a day for four weeks intravenously. The second case is a 92-year-old finnish man. A dual-chamber pacemaker was implanted on June 2012 due to total heart block. He had recurrent S. dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis bacteremia with cellulitis. During the second bacteremic episode transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) was performed because of persistent fever. Echocardiography revealed lead vegetation. Abdominal CT revealed also an abscess in the psoas region. This elderly patient was very fragile, and the pacemaker system was not extracted. Therapy was continued with benzylpenicillin four million IU six times a day for six weeks intravenously and thereafter suppressive treatment with amoksisillin 500 mg three times a day was initiated. CONCLUSION: Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis (group C and G streptococci) seldom cause cardiac device endocarditis. Both patients had recurrent bacteremia of S. dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis and echocardiography revealed cardiac device-related endocarditis. These cases emphasize the importance of considering endocarditis in elderly persons having cardiac devices together with the presence of unexplained bacteremia, fever without focus or persistent fever.

[Beta-hemolytic streptococcal bacteremia in adults]. / Beetahemolyyttisten streptokokkien aiheuttamat bakteremiat aikuisilla.

The serogroups A (Streptococcus pyogenes), B (Streptococcus agalactiae) and S. dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis (group C and G) are generally defined as beta-hemolytic streptococci. Beta-hemolytic streptococci cause a variety of infections ranging from skin and soft-tissue infections to severe invasive infections such as necrotizing fasciitis (NF) and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS). The case fatality rate due to bacteremias caused by beta-hemolytic streptococci is 15%. The use of clindamycin in combination with benzylpenicillin has been shown to be of benefit. The use of intravenous immunoglobulin is suggested in STSS in combination with antibiotics and surgery.

Cat scratch disease caused by Bartonella grahamii in an immunocompromised patient.

Bartonella grahamii colonizes rodents worldwide and has been detected in questing Ixodes ricinus ticks. Here, the first human B. grahamii infection confirmed by multilocus sequence typing is reported. The route of transmission and clinical picture of the patient are similar to those seen in patients with cat scratch disease, which is typically diagnosed as a Bartonella henselae infection.

Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis Bacteremia, Finland, 1995-2004.

We conducted a retrospective population-based study of 140 episodes of Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis bacteremia occurring in Finland during 1995-2004. Rare emm types were associated with more severe disease and increased mortality rates. Skin and soft tissue infections were more frequent clinical signs among cases caused by common emm types.

Predictors of mortality in beta-hemolytic streptococcal bacteremia: a population-based study.

OBJECTIVES: Several factors associated with mortality in Lancefield group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal bacteremia have been described in population-based surveillance studies, whereas such reports on group B, C, and G streptococcal are scant. METHODS: In this population-based study all 314 episodes of beta-hemolytic streptococcal bacteremia in adult patients in the Pirkanmaa area, Finland, during the 10-year period 1995-2004 were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: The 30-day case-fatality rate was 13%, being highest in group C (22%); in group A it was 15%, in group B 7%, and in group G 15%. Confusion, unconsciousness and dyspnea as the first sign or symptom were associated with increased case-fatality, while fever seemed to be a protecting factor for death. Alcoholism and ultimately or rapidly fatal underlying disease were significantly associated with increased case-fatality. Among infections of the skin and soft-tissues, necrotizing fasciitis had the highest risk of death (38%), while patients with cellulitis had a case-fatality of 8%. A history of previous cellulitis seemed to protect against death (case-fatality of 3% as compared to 16% among those without such a history (p=0.014)). CONCLUSION: A history of previous cellulitis seemed to be a protecting factor against death. Fever was also associated with a good prognosis.