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Jasmine Leyro

COSMOS UCD - Cluster 7

Dr. LeFebvre

28 July 2008

History of Streptococcus Pyogenes

Abstract:

With the earliest recordings coming from the Fifth Century B.C., streptococcus pyogenes, and more frequently, its symptoms have been prevalent among doctors and historians for hundreds of years. The first mentioning of streptococcus pyogenes is to be credited to Hippocrates, in which he describes the relative symptoms of the flesh-eating bacteria in its early stages. Then depicted by Billroth in 1874, patients carrying erysipelas were determined to have this certain bacterial infection. In 1883, the chain-forming bacteria were isolated by Fehleisen; and in the following year, Rosenbach applied the S. pyogenes name. Further advances in hemolytic and non-hemolytic studies were made by Lancefield in the 1930s, in which the alpha, beta, and gamma subgroups of the hemolytic structures detailed and defined by Schottmueller and Brown - were divided into serotypes.

Although he lived four centuries before the birth of Christ, a man named

Hippocrates recorded the symptoms of diseases we still see to this day. Known as the

Father of Medicine (Hippocrates), Hippocrates was an ancient physician who studied

and recorded his observances of the bodys infections and physiology. He set forth the

foundation for future physicians, and in doing so, is accredited for our knowledge of

infectious diseases in earlier centuries. During this time however, many believed the

earth and its inhabitants were composed of four general elements: air, water, fire, and

dirt. They also believed that any one person who fell ill was being punished by the gods.

As a foresighted thinker though, Hippocrates encouraged the idea that humans became ill

due to natural causes. In that wisdom, he recorded all his observances of his patients and

their illnesses, taking careful note of the bodily symptoms and their progression.

Described in his works, Hippocrates mentioned scarlet fever-like symptoms,

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those that correlate to the flesh-eating bacteria now known as streptococcus pyogenes.

Due to Hippocrates acts as a pioneer in the medical field, these chronicles are the first

recordings we have of the existence of the bacteria.

Centuries later, another man began to outline more thoroughly the features and

symptoms of several afflictions. Theodor Billroth, a Viennese surgeon described

streptococci, staphylococci, diplococci, and even rods found in pus as intervals regarded

in a distinct species: Coccobacteria septica (Breed). He investigated the roles of the

bacteria and entwined their origin. Billroth noticed specific bacteria in those with

erysipelas; he named the bacteria streptococcus from the two Greek words strepto

meaning a chain formed of links, and coccus meaning berry. Although incorrect in

concluding that various bacteria were related, in 1874, Billroth did detail the

characteristics of the specific bacteria, paving a more direct path for the study of

streptococcus pyogenes. .

Later that century, in 1883, a separate man isolated the chain-forming bacteria

from his patients perierysipelas lesions in pure culture. Fehleisen, a European scientist,

discovered the distinctive bacteria linked to the causes of rheumatic fever, scarlet fever,

strep throat, and necrotizing fasciitis. This finding allowed for additional research

concerning the chain-like bacteria. Despite Fehleisens discovery, it is believed that it

was originally Pasteur who isolated the streptococcal bacteria in t blood culture from an

puerperal septic woman.

The next year Alan Rosenbach shortened the name to S pyogenes. Subsequent to

isolating the serological Group A Streptococcus from scarlet fever, Rosenbach found a

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bacteria consistent with that researched previously by Fehleisen.

We see further exploration of the bacteria in the early 1900s, first by Hugo

Schottmueller and J.H. Brown, who both studied and defined the alpha, beta, and gamma

patterns of hemolysis. Regarding the hemolytic structure of streptococcus pyogenes,

ulterior developments were made by Lancefield. Due to her serotyping on the basis of

M-protein precipitin reactions (Sharma) she was able to classify the beta-hemolytic

streptococci in depth during the 1930s. According to Sharma, Lancefield established the

importance of M-protein in the formation and causes of diseases. Studies following

these, specifically those focused on epidemiology, linked streptococcus to rheumatic

fever and acute glomeronephritis.

Streptococcus pyogenes lies among the Group A Streptococcus, which is the

leading cause of acute bacterial pharyngitis/tonsillitis, or "strep throat" occurring

worldwide (Caruana). However, as the flesh-eating bacteria, it is not commonly seen,

often not permitted to cumulate to such an extent; but if allowed to persist streptococcus

pyogenes can eventually become the flesh-eating bacteria, devouring the fascia:

necrotizing fasciitis.

Studied more widely on the carrier and contraction side presently, researchers are

beginning to relate certain aspects of life and environment to the bacteria. According to

Bashir Gaash, the percentages of children who carry the illness vary, depending most

significantly on season and geography. In temperate climates, six to eight percent of

childrens throats had colonies of streptococcal infection, and tested on those attending

school, the rates increased to remaining between fifteen and twenty percent. In adults

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however, carrier rates are far less.

Beginning with Hippocrates - the cornerstone of medical action to the

researchers of today, we as humans have come to realize the massive power of studying

bacteria. Streptococcus pyogenes has been among us for thousands of years, and by

studying the works of ancient scientists, we may discover a better future.

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Works Cited

Unknown. Hippocrates. .

Breed, Robert S.. The Present Status of Systematic Bacteriology. July 27, 2008.

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Caruana, Louis B.. Flesh Eating Group A Streptococcus. July 27, 2008.

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Sharma, Sat. Streptococcus Group A Infections. July 27, 2008.

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