Members of Streptococcus can be aerobic, anaerobic, or microaerophilic. The organisms in this genus are characterized by a coccus appearance, a thick cell wall, and aerobic action on glucose. The first group in the Lancefield classification system includes only one species of Streptococcus , S. pyogenes . Penicillin is usually administered to patients as soon as possible to quell the possibility of the infection spreading from the upper respiratory system into the lungs. Once in the lungs, the infection could give rise to pneumonia.
Some cases also develop into rheumatic fever if left untreated.
Other diseases linked to S. pyogenes are skin infections such as impetigo, cellulitis, and erysipelas. B The B classification of Lancefield also includes only one bacterium, S. agalactiae . For years this bacterium has been the causative agent in mastitis in cows. Currently, it has been found to be a cause of sexually transmitted urogenital infections in females. Although infection is easily treated with penicillin, proper diagnosis is necessary for women nearing labor because the infection can easily spread to the child via the birth canal.