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Jasmine Leyro
COSMOS UCD - Cluster 7
Dr. LeFebvre
28 July 2008
History of Streptococcus Pyogenes
Abstract:
With the earliest recordings coming from the Fifth Century B.C., streptococcus pyogenes,
and more frequently, its symptoms have been prevalent among doctors and historians for
hundreds of years. The first mentioning of streptococcus pyogenes is to be credited to
Hippocrates, in which he describes the relative symptoms of the flesh-eating bacteria in
its early stages. Then depicted by Billroth in 1874, patients carrying erysipelas were
determined to have this certain bacterial infection. In 1883, the chain-forming bacteria
were isolated by Fehleisen; and in the following year, Rosenbach applied the S. pyogenes
name. Further advances in hemolytic and non-hemolytic studies were made by Lancefield
in the 1930s, in which the alpha, beta, and gamma subgroups of the hemolytic structures
detailed and defined by Schottmueller and Brown - were divided into serotypes.
Although he lived four centuries before the birth of Christ, a man named
Hippocrates recorded the symptoms of diseases we still see to this day. Known as the
Father of Medicine (Hippocrates), Hippocrates was an ancient physician who studied
and recorded his observances of the bodys infections and physiology. He set forth the
foundation for future physicians, and in doing so, is accredited for our knowledge of
infectious diseases in earlier centuries. During this time however, many believed the
earth and its inhabitants were composed of four general elements: air, water, fire, and
dirt. They also believed that any one person who fell ill was being punished by the gods.
As a foresighted thinker though, Hippocrates encouraged the idea that humans became ill
due to natural causes. In that wisdom, he recorded all his observances of his patients and
their illnesses, taking careful note of the bodily symptoms and their progression.
Described in his works, Hippocrates mentioned scarlet fever-like symptoms,

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those that correlate to the flesh-eating bacteria now known as streptococcus pyogenes.
Due to Hippocrates acts as a pioneer in the medical field, these chronicles are the first
recordings we have of the existence of the bacteria.
Centuries later, another man began to outline more thoroughly the features and
symptoms of several afflictions. Theodor Billroth, a Viennese surgeon described
streptococci, staphylococci, diplococci, and even rods found in pus as intervals regarded
in a distinct species: Coccobacteria septica (Breed). He investigated the roles of the
bacteria and entwined their origin. Billroth noticed specific bacteria in those with
erysipelas; he named the bacteria streptococcus from the two Greek words strepto
meaning a chain formed of links, and coccus meaning berry. Although incorrect in
concluding that various bacteria were related, in 1874, Billroth did detail the
characteristics of the specific bacteria, paving a more direct path for the study of
streptococcus pyogenes. .
Later that century, in 1883, a separate man isolated the chain-forming bacteria
from his patients perierysipelas lesions in pure culture. Fehleisen, a European scientist,
discovered the distinctive bacteria linked to the causes of rheumatic fever, scarlet fever,
strep throat, and necrotizing fasciitis. This finding allowed for additional research
concerning the chain-like bacteria. Despite Fehleisens discovery, it is believed that it
was originally Pasteur who isolated the streptococcal bacteria in t blood culture from an
puerperal septic woman.
The next year Alan Rosenbach shortened the name to S pyogenes. Subsequent to
isolating the serological Group A Streptococcus from scarlet fever, Rosenbach found a

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bacteria consistent with that researched previously by Fehleisen.
We see further exploration of the bacteria in the early 1900s, first by Hugo
Schottmueller and J.H. Brown, who both studied and defined the alpha, beta, and gamma
patterns of hemolysis. Regarding the hemolytic structure of streptococcus pyogenes,
ulterior developments were made by Lancefield. Due to her serotyping on the basis of
M-protein precipitin reactions (Sharma) she was able to classify the beta-hemolytic
streptococci in depth during the 1930s. According to Sharma, Lancefield established the
importance of M-protein in the formation and causes of diseases. Studies following
these, specifically those focused on epidemiology, linked streptococcus to rheumatic
fever and acute glomeronephritis.
Streptococcus pyogenes lies among the Group A Streptococcus, which is the
leading cause of acute bacterial pharyngitis/tonsillitis, or "strep throat" occurring
worldwide (Caruana). However, as the flesh-eating bacteria, it is not commonly seen,
often not permitted to cumulate to such an extent; but if allowed to persist streptococcus
pyogenes can eventually become the flesh-eating bacteria, devouring the fascia:
necrotizing fasciitis.
Studied more widely on the carrier and contraction side presently, researchers are
beginning to relate certain aspects of life and environment to the bacteria. According to
Bashir Gaash, the percentages of children who carry the illness vary, depending most
significantly on season and geography. In temperate climates, six to eight percent of
childrens throats had colonies of streptococcal infection, and tested on those attending
school, the rates increased to remaining between fifteen and twenty percent. In adults

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however, carrier rates are far less.
Beginning with Hippocrates - the cornerstone of medical action to the
researchers of today, we as humans have come to realize the massive power of studying
bacteria. Streptococcus pyogenes has been among us for thousands of years, and by
studying the works of ancient scientists, we may discover a better future.

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Works Cited

Unknown. Hippocrates. <http://gardenofpraise.com/ibdhipp.htm>.

Breed, Robert S.. The Present Status of Systematic Bacteriology. July 27, 2008.
<http://jb.asm.org/cgi/reprint/15/3/143.pdf>.
Caruana, Louis B.. Flesh Eating Group A Streptococcus. July 27, 2008.
<http://members.tripod.com/LouCaru/index-7.html>.
Sharma, Sat. Streptococcus Group A Infections. July 27, 2008.
<http://www.emedicine.com/med/TOPIC2184.HTM>.