Bacterial Infections of Humans

Abstract

Streptococcal diseases of man have occurred for millenia, but it was not until the 19th century that the association between the etiological agent and the various clinical forms of the disease was learned. The principal forms of streptococcal disease now recognized are streptococcal sore throat, scarlet fever, streptococcal skin infection (impetigo, or pyoderma, and erysipelas). Streptococci may also cause suppurative infections (abscesses, pneumonia), food poisoning, and systemic disease (septicemia, endocarditis). Of significant clinical and public-health importance are the nonsuppurative sequelae of streptococcal disease, namely, rheumatic fever and acute glomerulonephritis.