title: Characteristics of Streptococcus species isolated from infectious skin diseases.
abstract: During the period from January of 1995 to June of 1998, 27 beta-hemolytic streptococci were isolated from 25 cases of infectious skin diseases including secondary infections, impetigo, phlegmone, and paronychia. The rate of beta-hemolytic streptococci among all kinds of the isolates was found to be similar during those 4 years, ranging from 3.5% to 5.6%. Staphylococcus aureus were found to coexist with beta-hemolytic streptococci in 20 (80%) out of 25 cases. beta-hemolytic streptococci were also often associated with coagulase-negative staphylococci, gram-positive rods, or other species. Twelve cases (48%) carried beta-hemolytic streptococci predominantly. Most beta-hemolytic streptococci showed high susceptibilities to all antimicrobials tested; however S. agalactiae showed no susceptibility to gentamicin. The evaluation of characteristics of Streptococcus species is very important for selecting the right antimicrobial agents and the proper term of chemotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Japan.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Higaki
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kitagawa
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morohashi
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Yoshida
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yamagishi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008875:Middle Aged; D012874:Skin Diseases, Infectious / Q000382:microbiology*; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000302:isolation & purification