title: Fatal septic shock due to Lancefield group G streptococci.
abstract: We describe two cases of fatal septic shock caused by Lancefield group G streptococci. Both were community-acquired and occurred in previously healthy adults. Both patients died in severe multiple organ failure despite prompt antibiotic therapy. Serological typing of bacterial cultures identified the T-protein antigen as serotype 300, but this was thought to be of little relevance to the pathogenesis; T-protein antigens are useful as epidemiological markers. M-typing and PCR (polymerase chain reaction) detection of the streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin genes were found to be negative suggesting that this highly pathogenic organism may represent a new M-type.
authors.affiliation: Intensive Care Unit, Guy's Hospital, London, U. K.
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Honoré
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lozana
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Defalque
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Estratiou
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D018805:Sepsis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents