title: Group G streptococcal bacteraemia: an opportunistic infection associated with immune senescence.
abstract: The number of cases of group G streptococcal bacteraemia reported worldwide is increasing. Twenty-six cases of group G streptococcal bacteraemia were identified during a 70-month period at a single university teaching hospital in Sheffield, UK. These cases represented 20% of all bacteraemias due to beta-hemolytic Streptococci, a higher proportion than previously reported. The median age of these cases was 72 y and although medical comorbidities were common only cutaneous ulceration was clearly linked to the presenting syndromes. The skin was the source of infection in 16 cases (62%) and the most frequent clinical presentations were cellulitis in 13 cases (50%) and endovascular infection in 5 (19%). Eight (31%) of the cases died during the period of follow-up but only 2 deaths were related to the streptococcal infection. Immunosenescence represents the major risk factor for group G streptococcal infection in this population and comorbidities, including carcinoma, may be markers of the senescent immune system rather than direct contributing factors to group G streptococcal bacteraemia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: Penny
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lewthwaite
authors.forename: Helena K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Parsons
authors.forename: Christine J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Bates
authors.forename: Michael W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: McKendrick
authors.forename: David H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Dockrell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000276:immunology*; D001170:Arthritis, Infectious / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D002481:Cellulitis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D004696:Endocarditis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D018746:Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology