Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis in paediatric febrile pharyngitis: A case series with molecular characterisation from Greece.
Marianneta Chatzopoulou, Stylianos Karapashis, Elizabeth Barbara Tatsi et al.
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Case in brief
This report details six pediatric cases of febrile pharyngitis caused by Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis, all presenting with fever and cervical lymphadenopathy, and testing negative for Streptococcus pyogenes. Molecular typing revealed two distinct types, stG4 and stC36. All isolates were susceptible to beta-lactams and other antibiotics, though resistance to macrolides, lincosamides, and tetracycline was noted in some cases.
Diagnostic / clinical pearl
Clinicians should consider Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis as a potential cause of pharyngitis in pediatric patients, especially in socioeconomically disadvantaged settings, when Streptococcus pyogenes is ruled out.
Why it matters
The increasing incidence of Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis highlights the importance of regional surveillance and awareness of antibiotic resistance patterns in managing pediatric infections.