title: Microbiological characteristics of perianal streptococcal dermatitis: a retrospective study of 105 patients in a 10-year period.
abstract: Beta-hemolytic streptococci (BHS) are the most common causative agents of perianal streptococcal dermatitis (PSD). This study evaluates the distribution of BHS isolates in perianal bacterial cultures. We retrospectively reviewed microbiological results for perianal BHS that were isolated in our laboratory between 2006 and 2015. We identified a total of 105 BHS isolates from rectal swabs and swabs of clinically intact perianal skin. The majority of BHS were of group A (GABHS) (73/105; 69.5%), followed by group B BHS (GBBHS) (27/105; 25.7%), and non-group A or B BHS (5/105; 4.8%). The distribution of GABHS was age-specific, with the majority of GABHS obtained from young children. All BHS isolates were susceptible to penicillin. GABHS were universally susceptible to clindamycin, whereas 1.4% were resistant to erythromycin. GBBHS were resistant to erythromycin and clindamycin in 14.8% and 7.4% of cases. In addition, we wanted to emphasize the importance of correct diagnosis of PSD. Hence, we provide a review of protocols that can decrease the time to diagnosis and treatment of PSD, reduce patients' discomfort, and prevent unnecessary diagnostic procedures.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Anja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Šterbenc
authors.affiliation: Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Katja
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Seme
authors.affiliation: Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Liza Lea
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Lah
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, Ljubljana University Medical Center, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Olga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Točkova
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Ljubljana University Medical Center, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Tina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kamhi Trop
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Children's Hospital, Ljubljana University Medical Center, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Nataša
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Švent-Kučina
authors.affiliation: Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Mateja
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pirš
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001003:Anal Canal; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017192:Skin Diseases, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy; D055815:Young Adult