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Streptococcal infections in children
Last reviewed: 07.07.2025
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Streptococci are the causative agents of such diverse diseases as tonsillitis, scarlet fever, rheumatism, glomerulonephritis, erysipelas, pyoderma, etc. In addition, streptococci often cause generalized processes such as septicemia and often play a leading role in the development of complications of other diseases.
ICD-10 code
- A40.0 Septicemia due to group A streptococcus.
- A40.1 Septicemia due to group D streptococcus
- A40.3 Septicemia due to Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcal septicemia).
- A40.8 Other streptococcal septicemias.
- A40.9 Streptococcal septicemia, unspecified.
Causes of Streptococcal Infections
Streptococci are gram-positive bacteria of spherical or oval shape, 0.6-1 µm in diameter, located in pairs in the form of chains.
When grown on blood agar, they form colonies with a diameter of 1-2 mm. Streptococci are classified according to their ability to lyse erythrocytes in blood agar plates:
- alpha type - colonies that form green hemoglobin breakdown products within a narrow surrounding hemolysis zone;
- beta type - colonies that form a wide light zone of hemolysis;
- gamma type - colonies that do not produce a hemolytic effect.
The ability to hemolyze varies widely and does not always indicate pathogenicity.
Streptococci are divided into groups based on the carbohydrate antigens of the cell wall. Currently, there are 21 groups from A to U; many of them are found in animals. Group A streptococci are beta-hemolytic and live mainly in the upper respiratory tract of humans. In humans, the disease is mainly caused by group A streptococci (Str. pyogenes). However, in young children and newborns, group B streptococci (Str. agalactiae) and group C streptococci (Str. equisimilis) often cause severe sepsis, as well as endocarditis and meningitis.
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