STREPTOCOCCACEAE
MLS - 2B Basan, Cyd Shaster C.
OBJECTIVES:
Understand the characteristics, classification, and identification
methods of Streptococci.
Identify their virulence factors, pathogenicity, and associated diseases.
Discuss distinguishing features, including growth conditions, hemolytic
patterns, and clinical relevance.
GENERAL
CHARACTERISTICS
Shape and Staining: Round or oval,
Gram-positive, and catalase-negative.
Growth and Structure: Form chains or
pairs in lab cultures.
Motility and Capsules: Non-motile and
non-spore-forming except for rare motile
strains of Group D Streptococci
Generally non-encapsulated except for
some strains of groups A, B, C & D
Streptococci
Bergey's Academic Classification (PVEL)
Grows neither 45C nor 10C but
Pyogenic grows at 11-44C; ave 37C
A Streptococc • Produce pus and mostly beta
hemolytic
• Ex. S. pyogenes
Grows at 45C but not at 10C
• Found in normal flora of the
mouth
B Viridans • Ex. S. salivarius (tongue); S.
Steptococci mutans (tooth enamel); S.
sanguis; S. anginosus
• Ex. S. mutans - agent of dental
carries (plaque
C Enterococcus Grows at both 45C and 10C • Ex. S. faecalis (normal fecal flora)
group
D Lactic group Grows at 10C but not at 45C • Ex. S. cremoris; S. lactis (agent of souring of
milk/rancid)
SMITH AND BROWN CLASSIFICATION
1. Alpha Hemolytic
Partial hemolysis of red blood cells (RBCs),
producing a greenish discoloration around colonies.
Examples: S. pneumoniae, S. viridans (green
streptococci).
2. Beta Hemolytic
Complete hemolysis of RBCs, forming a clear,
colorless zone around colonies.
Examples: S. pyogenes, S. agalactiae.
3. Gamma Hemolytic
No hemolysis (non-hemolytic) or indifferent
Streptococci. Colonies do not affect RBCs.
Example: S. faecalis.
LANCEFIELD Key groups include:
CLASSIFICATION
Group A (S. pyogenes)
Contains rhamnose and N-
acetylglucosamine.
Categorizes Streptococci based on Group B (S. agalactiae)
their serologically active C- Contains rhamnose and glucosamine
carbohydrate. polysaccharides.
Developed by Rebecca Lancefield Group D (Enterococci and Non-
in 1933. Enterococci)
C-carbohydrate detected using Contains glycerol teichoic acid with D-
antibodies. alanine and glucose.
GROUP A
Colonies are
pinpoint •
Transparent to
translucent
CHARACTERISTICS Convex or domed
entire, circular,
shiny
Surrounded by a
wide zone of B-
hemolysis
Rep:
Streptococcus
pyogenes
VIRULENCE
FACTORS
CELLULAR COMPONENTS AND EXTRACELLULAR PRODUCTS
Lipotechoic acid and protein F
Present in the cell wall
Responsible for the adherence of the bacteria to the
respiratory epithelial cells
M cells
Major virulence factor of Group A Streptococci which
renders the organisms resistant to phagocytosis •
Hyaluronic acid capsule
Assist the organism in avoiding phagocytosis
HEMOLYSINS
Streptolysisn O (SLO)
Membrane-damaging extracellular toxin produced by hemolytic
streptococci
Antigen/immunogenic
Triggers production of Anti-Streptolysin O
Oxygen labile
Causes: subsurface hemolysis on BA
Streptolysin S (SLS)
Oxygen stable
Non-antigenic (cannot produce antibodies)
Causes surface hemolysis on BA
ENZYME AND TOXINS
Erythrogenic (pyrogenic) toxins
Responsible for the characteristics rash in Scarlet fever
Strawberry tongue
Hyaluronidase
Spreading factor
Streptokinase
Enzyme that dissolves clots
PHARYNGITIS, RHEUMATIC
SERIES – S PRD
FEVER, NECROTIZING
FASCIITIS, AND SCARLET
FEVER.
DICK’S TEST
SCHULTZ-CHARLETON TEST (BLANCHING PHENOMENON)
ABYSS OF DECEPTIONS NEON SKYLIGHT Studios
SERIES – S PRD
BIOCHEMICAL
TESTS
BACITRACIN (TAXO A)
Prerequisite: Gram-positive cocci, catalase-negative.
Purpose: A presumptive test to differentiate Group A beta-hemolytic
Streptococci (positive result) from other beta-hemolytic Streptococci
(negative result).
Mechanism: Based on selective inhibition of the growth of Group A
Streptococci using a paper disc containing 0.02–0.04 units of Bacitracin.
Results:
Any zone of inhibition, regardless of diameter, is considered a
positive reaction.
Susceptibility:
Susceptible: Groups A, C, G.
Resistant: Other beta-hemolytic Streptococci.
PYR TEST
Prerequisite: Gram-positive cocci, catalase-negative, beta-hemolytic.
Purpose: Detects the organism's ability to hydrolyze the substrate L-
pyrrolidonyl-beta-naphthylamide.
Reagent/Color Developer: p-dimethyl-aminocinnamaldehyde.
Results: Bright red end product indicates a positive reaction.
Applicable Groups: Group A Streptococci and Enterococci.
DISEASE ASSOCIATION
Mode of Transmission Disease Produced:
Not airborne Most common cause of acute pharyngitis: Classic
Aerosols or respiratory secretions • strep throat with red, swollen tonsils and pharynx
Food and milk (epidemics) Exudate in tonsils (S. pyogenes)
Skin infections:
Impetigo
Cellulitis
Erysipelas
Wound infection
Puerperal sepsis (sepsis obtained by newborn
after vaginal delivery)
Scarlet fever
Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome
Necrotizing fasciitis (flesh-eating)02 of 03
DISEASE ASSOCIATION
Sequelae: Acute Glomerulonephritis (AGN) (Immune Complex
Acute Rheumatic Heart Fever (Molecular Deposition/Type III Hypersensitivity):
Mimicry/Type II Hypersensitivity): Seen after pharyngeal or cutaneous infection
Occurs only after pharyngitis Symptoms:
Symptoms: Puffy face
Fever "Tea or Coca-cola" colored urine
Myocarditis Hypervolemia secondary to fluid retention
Joint swelling Hypertension
GROUP B
Colonies are large,
mucoid, more
translucent to
opaque, whitish
CHARACTERISTICS gray, soft, smooth
colonies
surrounded by a
smaller zone of
beta-hemolysis •
Rep:
Streptococcus
agalactiae
VIRULENCE
FACTORS
VIRULENCE FACTORS
Capsule made of sialic acid
Most important virulence factor that prevents phagocytosis
Hemolysins: Cause red blood cell breakdown.
CAMP Factor: Enhances hemolysis with other bacteria like S. aureus.
Neuraminidase: Aids tissue invasion.
DNase: Breaks down DNA to facilitate invasion.
Hyaluronidase: Promotes bacterial spread.
Protease: Breaks down proteins, aiding tissue destruction.
ABYSS OF DECEPTIONS NEON SKYLIGHT Studios
SERIES – S PRD
BIOCHEMICAL
TESTS
HIPPURATE HYDROLYSIS
Prerequisite: Gram-positive, catalase negative, beta-hemolytic, bacitracin
resistant
Determine whether a microorganism, by action of the enzyme hippurate
hydrolase, can hydrolyse sodium hippurate to benzoic acid and glycine
Positive result: purple colored product
CAMP (CHRISTIE, ATKINS, AND MUNCH-PETERSON) TEST
Purpose: Differentiate group B beta-hemolytic from non-group B beta-
hemolytic Streptococci.
CAMP Factor: A diffusible, protein-like compound produced by
Streptococcus agalactiae.
Procedure:
Streak the organism perpendicularly to beta-hemolytic S. aureus.
A characteristic "arrowhead" hemolytic pattern forms.
Synergistic Action: CAMP factor acts with S. aureus hemolysins.
Positive Result: Enhanced hemolysis, indicated by an arrowhead-shaped
zone of beta-hemolysis at the junction of the two organisms.
DISEASE Historical Context: GBS, first linked to cattle, was identified as a
neonatal infection cause by the 1970s.
Neonatal Disease: GBS is a leading cause of infant mortality in the
ASSOCIATION
U.S., though its incidence has decreased since the 1990s.
Normal Flora: Pharynx, gastrointestinal and genitourinary tract, and
vagina.
Diseases Produced:
Bovine mastitis
Skin infection, endocarditis
Most common: Etiologic agent of neonatal sepsis and meningitis
FYI: Common causes of neonatal meningitis:
S. agalactiae (Group B Streptococci)
E. coli
N. meningitidis
Prerequisite:
GROUP D
gram-positive,
catalase negative
ENTEROCOCCI
Both are bile-
esculin positive
Non-enterococci
VS NON- is not included in
Group D anymore
ENTEROCOCCI
BILE ESCULIN TEST (BILE ESCULIN AGAR)
Purpose: Selective isolation of D. enterococcus from other streptococci.
Inhibition: Gram-positive organisms, other than Group enterococci and non-enterococci,
are inhibited by the 40% bile in this medium.
Tolerance: D. enterococcus is tolerant in 40% bile.
Positive Result: Dark brown or black color.
BILE ESCULIN TEST (BILE ESCULIN AGAR)
ENTEROCOCCUS
Natural Inhabitants: Intestinal tract of humans and animals
E. faecalis
E. faecium
Hemolysis: Most are non-hemolytic or alpha-hemolytic; some are beta-
hemolytic.
Growth Conditions:
Tolerant to bile
6.5% NaCl
Alkaline pH
ABYSS OF DECEPTIONS NEON SKYLIGHT Studios
ABYSS OF DECEPTIONS NEON SKYLIGHT Studios
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