Several autoantibodies (anti-dopamine 1 (D1R) and 2 (D2R) receptors, anti-tubulin, anti-lysoganglioside-GM1) and antibody-mediated activation of calcium calmodulin dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) signaling activity are elevated in children with Sydenham's chorea (SC). Recognizing proposed clinical and autoimmune similarities between SC and PANDAS (pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric diso...

Using the complement fixation reaction with whole bacterial solutions as antigens, it has been possible to confirm the existence, within the non-hemolytic streptococcus family, of two great groups. One of these groups, that which may be designated as of the left side, is related in an orderly way to the hemolytic streptococci; the other of the right side, is similarly related to the entire pneu...

The results of studies on the antigenic structure and immunological specificity of a non-hemolytic streptococcus, designated streptococcus MG, are described. Evidence is presented to show that this microorganism possesses a capsule and that this structure contains a polysaccharide antigen which is responsible for the type specific serological reactions obtained with streptococcus MG.

The biochemical characteristics of 172 clinical isolates of group A, C, F, or G or "nongroupable" beta-hemolytic streptococci were examined. Among these isolates, 91 were identified as beta-hemolytic strains of Streptococcus milleri. The remaining isolates included 20 Streptococcus pyogenes, 21 Streptococcus equisimilis, 37 large-colony group G streptococci, and 3 unidentified nongroupable isol...

CONTEXT Most sore throats are due to viral upper respiratory tract infections. Group A beta-hemolytic streptococci (GABHS), the only common cause of sore throat warranting antibiotics, is cultured in 5% to 17% of adults with sore throat. The frequency of antibiotic use for pharyngitis has greatly exceeded the prevalence of GABHS, but less is known about specific classes of antibiotics used. Onl...

There appears to be a resurgence of puerperal sepsis due to a historically important pathogen, group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus.

Since the division of the Streptococcus genus into enterococci, lactococci, and streptococci in 1984, many changes in the nomenclature and taxonomy of the Streptococcus genus have taken place. The application of genetic comparisons has improved the proper classification of the different species. The Lancefield system of serogrouping the streptococci by the expression of beta-hemolysis on blood ...

Impetigo is an endemic bacterial skin infection most commonly associated with the pediatric population; it is seen in more than an estimated 162 million children between the ages of 2 and 5 years old. Geographically, this infection is mostly found in tropical areas around the globe. Impetigo has the largest increase in incidence rate, as compared to other various skin infections seen in childre...