Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-dh8gc Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-01T06:15:57.187Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The role of normal skin in the spread of streptococcal pyoderma

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

B. A. Dudding ,
J. W. Burnett ,
S. S. Chapman  and
L. W. Wannamaker
B. A. Dudding
Affiliation:
From the Departments of Pediatrics and Microbiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
J. W. Burnett
Affiliation:
From the Departments of Pediatrics and Microbiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
S. S. Chapman
Affiliation:
From the Departments of Pediatrics and Microbiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
L. W. Wannamaker
Affiliation:
From the Departments of Pediatrics and Microbiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Summary

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

The primary body site of acquisition of group A streptococci was examined prospectively in a population with endemic streptococcal pyoderma. Weekly cultures were obtained during the skin infection season from apparently normal upper respiratory and cutaneous sites (and from skin lesions when present) in 44 children and adults living on the Red Lake Indian Reservation.

During the 9-week period of the study 705 of a total of 2305 cultures were positive for group A streptococci. The percentage of positive cultures from the various sites were: throat (20%); nose (24%); wrist (32%); ankle (35%); back (22%); and skin lesions (81%). Group A streptococci were also isolated from fingernail dirt, clothing and bedding as well as from a few household pets and insects.

Analysis of serial cultures obtained from the same individuals at weekly intervals suggested that the strains isolated from skin lesions first appeared on normal skin in the 2 weeks preceding the lesion. Spread to the nose and throat followed skin acquisition and/or skin lesions.

The high prevalence of group A streptococci on normal skin in the absence as well as the presence of pyoderma, and their appearance on normal skin before recovery from either skin lesions or the upper respiratory tract are consistent with the view that skin acquisition was a primary predisposing factor to pyoderma. Since the literature indicates that group A streptococci are rarely part of the normal skin flora, these findings raise the possibility of unique biological properties of these and perhaps other pyoderma strains, as distinct from other group A streptococci.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Hygiene , Volume 68 , Issue 1 , March 1970 , pp. 19 - 28
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1970

References

Anthony, B. F., Perlman, L. V. & Wannamaker, L. W. (1967 a) Skin infections and acute nephritis in American Indian children. Pediatrics, Springfield 39, 263.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Anthony, B. F., Kaplan, E. L., Chapman, S. S., Quie, P. G. & Wannamaker, L. W. (1967 b). Epidemic acute nephritis with reappearance of type-49 streptococcus. Lancet ii, 787.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Colebrook, L. & Maxted, W. R. (1933). Antisepsis in midwifery. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the British Empire 40, 966.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Colebrook, L., Maxted, W. R. & Johns, A. M. (1935). The presence of haemolytic and other streptococci on human skin. Journal of Pathology and Bacteriology 41, 521.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dillon, H. C. Jr (1967). Pyoderma and nephritis. Annual Review of Medicine 18, 207.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Futcher, P. H. (1940). Glomerular nephritis following infections of the skin. Archives of Internal Medicine 65, 1192.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hamburger, M. Jr, & Green, M. J. (1946). The problem of the ‘dangerous carrier’ of hemolytic streptococci. IV. Observations on the role of the hands, of blowing the nose, of sneezing and of coughing in the dispersal of these micro-organisms. Journal of Infectious Diseases 79, 33.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hamburger, M. Jr, Green, M. J. & Hamburger, V. G. (1945). The problem of the ‘dangerous carrier’ of hemolytic streptococci. II. The spread of infection by individuals with strongly positive nose cultures who expelled large numbers of hemolytic streptococci. Journal of Infectious Diseases 77, 96.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kligman, A. M. (1965). The bacteriology of normal skin. In Skin Bacteria and their Role in Infection. Ed. Maiback, I. and Hildick-Smith, G.. p. 13. New York: McGraw-Hill Co.Google Scholar
Loosli, G. G., Lemon, H. M., Wise, H. & Robertson, O. H. (1948). Studies on the transmission and control of respiratory disease within army barracks. I. Hemolytic streptococcal contamination of the environment. Journal of Infectious Diseases 82, 59.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Markham, N. P. & Stenhouse, A. C. (1959). A bacteriological investigation of wound infections in Raratonga, Cook Islands. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 53, 404.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Parker, M. T. & Williams, R. E. O. (1961). Further observations on the bacteriology of impetigo and pemphigus neonatorum. Acta paediatrica, Stockholm 50, 101.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Perry, W. D., Siegel, A. C., Rammelkamp, C. H. Jr., Wannamaker, L. W. & Marple, E. C. (1957 a). Transmission of group A streptococci. I. The role of contaminated bedding. American Journal of Hygiene 66, 85.Google Scholar
Perry, W. D., Siegel, A. C. & Rammelkamp, C. H. Jr, (1957 b). Transmission of group A streptococci. II. The role of contaminated dust. American Journal of Hygiene 66, 96.Google Scholar
Ricketts, C. R., Squire, J. R. & Topley, E. (1951). Human skin lipids with particular reference to self-sterilizing power of skin. Clinical Science 10, 89.Google Scholar
Wannamaker, L. W. (1954). The epidemiology of streptococcal infections. In Streptococcal Infections, p. 157, Ed. McCarty, M.. New York: Columbia University Press.Google Scholar
Wiley, G. G. & Bruno, P. N. (1968). Cross-reactions among group A streptococci. I. Precipitin and bactericidal cross-reactions among types 33, 41, 43, 52 and Ross. Journal of Experimental Medicine 128, 959.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Williams, R. E. O. (1965). Pathogenic bacteria on the skin. In Skin Bacteria and their Role in Infection. Ed. Maiback, I. and Hildick-Smith, G.. p. 49, New York, McGraw-Hill Co.Google Scholar
Williams, R. E. O. & Miles, A. A. (1949). Infections and sepsis in industrial wounds of the hand. Medical Research Council, Special Report Series, No. 266.Google Scholar