This study proceeds to extract collagen from the skin of Rutilus  kutum, one of  the main and economical species of the Caspian Sea. Acid-soluble collagen (ASC) from the skin of R. kutum was extracted and characterized by SDS-PAGE, FTIR and UV spectrophotometry. Based on the data from the SDS-PAGE and the composition of amino acid, it was probable that the obtained collagen classified as type I...

After being notified that 2 high school football teammates from New York City were hospitalized with confirmed or suspected invasive group A streptococcal infections, we conducted an investigation of possible spread among other team members. This investigation highlights a need for guidelines on management of streptococcal and other infectious disease outbreaks in team sport settings.

Background Acute Streptococcus pyogenes infections may present under various forms, such as pharyngitis, scarlet fever, pneumonia, meningitis, cellulitis or impetigo. Toxigenic infections can result in necrotizing fasciitis, myositis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. Following acute infections caused by S pyogenes, patients are also at risk for developing immune-mediated post-streptococca...

OBJECTIVE Reports have suggested that streptococcal infection may be etiologically related to pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders (PANDAS), but there are few good epidemiologic studies to support this theory. Using population-based data from a large West-Coast health maintenance organization, we assessed whether streptococcal infection was associated with increased risk for obsessiv...

The relationship of the streptococcal hemolysin which is recognized on incubation of RBC with streptococcal cells (cell-bound hemolysin, CBH), to RNA hemolysin, a representative of oxygen-stable hemolysin (streptolysin S) has been studied. A number of similarities have been found in the conditions for optimal production of each of these hemolysins, a requirement for cysteine, Mg(++), and glucos...

The Histidine Triad Proteins (HTPs), also known as Pht proteins in Streptococcus pneumoniae, constitute a family of surface-exposed proteins that exist in many pathogenic streptococcal species. Although many studies have revealed the importance of HTPs in streptococcal physiology and pathogenicity, little is known about their origin and evolution. In this study, after identifying all htp homolo...

It is now well established that practically all initial attacks and subsequent recurrences of rheumatic fever are precipitated by antecedent Group A hemolytic streptococcal infection. Evidence to support this concept has been based on the close epidemiologic and bacteriologic association of acute rheumatic fever and streptococcal infection (1-9) as well as on the striking similarity of the anti...

Beta-hemolytic streptococcal isolates have been examined by counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIE) with group B antiserum to determine whether this techinque is of value in the rapid identification of group B strains. Ninety stock cultures and 100 clinical isolates of beta-hemolytic streptococci including representatives of groups A, D, C, G, and B were inoculated into Todd-Hewitt broth; after incu...

INTRODUCTION Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome is a complication of group A streptococcal infection, most often originating from the skin. The syndrome is characterized by fever, hypotension and multiple organ failure. Mortality rate may be as high as 80%. CASE PRESENTATION A 25-year-old man of Indian origin presented with abdominal complaints, rash and fever after an episode of pharyngitis....

An impressive change in the epidemiology and severity of invasive group A streptococcal infections occurred in the 1980s, and the incidence of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome cases continues to rise. The reason for the resurgence of severe invasive cases remains a mystery-has there been a change in the pathogen or in host protective immunity? To address these questions, we have studied 33 pa...