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The Case of the Skin Infection
1. What is most likely the name of the disease causing this infection? What is the
etiological agent?
The most likely disease causing this infection according to case history is Group A
Streptococcus. The etiological agent for Group A Streptococcus is a bacterium called
Streptococcus pyogenes.
2. Describe the bacterium. What are the characteristics of the pathogen that enabled
it to cause this massive damage to a young healthy woman?
Streptococcus pyogenes, the scientific name of Group A Streptococcus, is a species of
Gram-positive, aerotolerant bacteria in the genus Streptococcus. Typically, the bacterium is
found in the upper respiratory tract and on the skin (Streptococcus Laboratory). It comprises
non-motile as well as non-sporing cocci that tend to link in chains and produces beta-hemolysis
when grown on blood agar. Streptococcus pyogenes is sensitive to many antibiotics, including
bacitracin, and causes infections, for instance, strep throat and impetigo
In the case of the 37-year-old healthy woman who died of a mysterious skin infection,
several characteristics of the pathogen, Streptococcus pyogenes, likely caused this massive
damage to the young woman. One of the characteristics is the extensive tissue damage through
the production of streptolysin O and streptolysin S (Streptococcus Laboratory). These toxins can
initiate damage to red blood cells, platelets, and cell membranes, resulting to tissue necrosis as
well as organ failure. In addition, the bacterium may have spread through the woman's tissues
using hyaluronidase and streptokinase, allowing it to cause widespread damage throughout her
body. The fact that the infection was capable of causing such severe damage in a previously
healthy person denotes that the woman's immune system was incapable to stand an effective
response to the bacterium, possibly due to an underlying immune deficiency or other health
condition.
3. Does this organism normally cause skin infections? What is its virulence
factors?
Yes, Group A Streptococcus can cause skin infections. Actually, skin infections stand as
one of the greatest common manifestations of Group A Streptococcus infection, which can range
from mild impetigo, which is a superficial skin infection, to more severe forms such as
necrotizing fasciitis, the condition that caused the death of the young healthy woman in the case
history described.
Streptococcus pyogenes has numerous virulence factors that allow it to cause a wide
range of infections. These comprise the production of streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxins (SPEs),
which can lead to toxic shock syndrome, and the production of streptolysin O and streptolysin S,
which can cause both hemolysis and tissue damage. The bacterium likewise produces
hyaluronidase, which aids the bacterium to spread through tissues, and streptokinase, which can
easily dissolve blood clots and let the bacterium to spread to new sites.
4. How do you think this pathogen was transmitted?
Since Group A Streptococcus is a highly contagious pathogen, according to my opinion, I
think that the pathogen was transmitted to other patients during the surgery by means of
contaminated surgical instruments as well as the hands of the medical personnel.
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5. What is the treatment of this disease? What is the prognosis?

The treatment of Group A Streptococcus bacterium typically includes antibiotics, for
instance, penicillin, amoxicillin, or erythromycin (Group a Streptococcus Lab Resources and
Protocols). In severe circumstances, intravenous antibiotics may be essential. Treatment may
likewise involve surgical intervention, such as debridement or amputation if the infection has
advanced to a point where the tissue cannot be salvaged.
The prognosis for this disease can differ depending on the severity of the infection and
the timing of treatment. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment can result to a good outcome
(Group a Streptococcus Lab Resources and Protocols). However, late treatment or a lack of
suitable treatment can cause serious complications, such as sepsis, organ failure, and eventually
death. From the scenario of the young woman, the rapid progression of the infection and the
delayed diagnosis likely contributed to the poor prognosis.
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Works Cited
Group a Streptococcus Lab Resources and Protocols | Cdc. 28 Mar. 2023,
https://www.cdc.gov/streplab/groupa-strep/resources.html.
Streptococcus Laboratory: Streptococcus Pyogenes | CDC. 23 July 2021,
https://www.cdc.gov/streplab/groupa-strep/index.html.