Loss of split thickness skin grafts due to non-group A beta-haemolytic streptococci.
Over a 17-month period 77 patients requiring a split skin graft for a burn injury have suffered loss of previously well taken graft due to the growth of a beta-haemolytic streptococcus. Of these only 42 were streptococci of Lancefield group A (Streptococcus pyogenes); 16 were group B, 3 group C and 16 group G. Some strains of groups B, C and G produce cytopathic and spreading factors capable of destroying the new skin graft and regenerating epithelium. We suggest that the non-group A streptococci may be more pathogenic than previously recognised in this particular respect.
D002056:Burns / Q000601:surgery*; D006084:Graft Rejection; D006801:Humans; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000145:classification / Q000472:pathogenicity; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000382:microbiology*