164 



STREPTOCOCCUS PYOGENES. 



Rosenbach (1884). 



Origin. In abscesses, pyaemia, etc. Similar, if not 

 identical streptococci, are to be met with under most 

 varied conditions. Tims I hey are found in the mouth and 

 sputum, on the mucous membranes of the nose, urethra, 

 vagina, etc. They are also frequently present as a result 

 of ' mixed in e*-!ion '* in diphtheria, typhoid fever, pneu- 

 monia, tuberculous-, scarlet fever, etc. 



Form. Spherical cells or cocci which may grow in 

 pairs, but usually forms rosary-like chains of 20 to SOcells. 

 Almost identical with the streptococcus of erysipelas. 



Motility. None. 

 Sporulation. None. 



Anilin Dyes. Is stained readily; also by Gram's 

 method. 



Growth. The characteristics of growth on artificial 

 media are essentially the same as those of the erysipelas 

 sireptococcus. So much so that the two organisms are 

 frequently considered as one and the same species. 



Oxygen requirements. Is a facultative am,e;obe. 



Temperature. Grows slowly at room temperature; 

 best at 35-37 0. 



Behavior to Gelatin. Does not liquefy. 



Pathogenesis. Mice and rabbits are susceptible 

 distinction Irom the sireptococcus of erysipelas. Like the 

 Fiankel diplococcus, it is a widely distributed engenderer 

 of inflammatory processes, either in connection with other 

 diseases as diphtheria, scarlet fever, etc., or by itself pro- 

 ducing effects depending largely upoh the locus of inocu- 

 lation. Thus it is apparently the sole cause of puerperal 

 fever; infection of the lymphatics of ihe skin induces 

 erysipelas, while subcutaneously purulent erysipelatoid 

 changes results. Is also considered the cause of endo- 

 carditis although this at times may be due to other organ- 

 isms which have the similar property of inducing inflam- 

 matory changes, as the Fiankel diplococcus and theStaphy- 

 lococcus pyogenes aureus. 



