Streptococcus

Streptococcus

<tr><th bgcolor=lightgrey>Scientific classification <tr><td>

<tr><td>Kingdom:<td>Bacteria <tr><td>Phylum:<td>Firmicutes <tr><td>Class:<td>Bacilli <tr><td>Order:<td>Lactobacillales <tr><td>Family:<td>Streptococcaceae <tr><td>Genus:<td>Streptococcus </table> <tr><th bgcolor=lightgrey>Species <tr><td> S. agalactiae
S. avium
S. bovis
S. durans
S. pneumoniae
S. pyogenes
S. viridans </table> Streptococcus is a genus of spherical, Gram-positive bacteria of the phylum Firmicutes. These bacteria grow in chains or pairs, with cell division occurring only along one axis. In this sense they are contrasted with Staphylococcus, which divides along several axes, generating a "cluster" of cells, which resemble clusters of grapes. Members of the genus Streptococcus which cause disease include:

Group A Streptococci (Streptococcus pyogenes) which causes Group A streptococcal infection
Group B Streptococci (Streptococcus agalactiae) which causes meningitis in neonates and the elderly, with occasional systemic bacteremia. They can also colonise the female reproductive tract, increasing the risk for premature rupture of membranes and transmission to the child.
Group D Streptococci (S. durans, S. avium, S. bovis)
Streptococcus pneumoniae which can cause pneumonia
Streptococcus viridans group which cause endocarditis and dental abscesses.

Transmission

Streptococcus are part of the normal flora of the mouth, skin, intestine and upper respiratory tract of humans.

Specific strains or species can be transmitted in several ways:

Physical contact
Using the same eating and drinking utensils as someone who has the bacteria
Coughing, sneezing, or breathing on someone
Touching the same doorknobs, faucets, etc.

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