It is usually grown in the laboratory with the supplementation of blood or human serum. Necrotising fasciitis or Streptococcal gangrene, the flesh-eating disease. This disease occurs primarily among children 5-15 years of age, with the peak incidence occurring during the first few years of school. The disease is spread from person to person via droplets of saliva or nasal secretions. The symptoms include sore throat and sometimes may be associated with malaise, feverishness and headache.
Diagnosis is made clinically and on isolation of the bacteria from a throat swab.
This disease results from the release of toxic substances by Streptococcus pyogenes. If it occurs, it is usually associated with Streptococcal throat infections. It is associated with a rash which appears as a diffuse red blush with many points of deeper red. Diagnosis is again made clinically and on isolation of the organism from a throat swab. Treatment is penicillin.