Bacterial infections in babies are often caused by various microbes of the coccal flora. Streptococcus is one of the most common members of this family. What parents should know about the problems of streptococcal infection in this article.
What it is?
One of the representatives of the cocci families is streptococci. This is a fairly voluminous view, which includes a huge variety of very different representatives. These microorganisms are capable of causing infectious pathologies in both newborns and older children.
The prevalence of streptococcal infections in the pediatric population is quite high. These microorganisms survive well enough in adverse environmental conditions. This feature is due to their cellular structure. While in the external environment, they retain their viability, even without forming capsule forms.
Insolation, some disinfectants, and antibacterial drugs have a detrimental effect on these microbes.
Some types of streptococci are representatives of a healthy microflora of the human body. Such microorganisms are also called opportunistic pathogens. In this case, the development of the disease leads to their active reproduction with a decrease in immunity as a result of exposure to various factors.
Most often in children, this condition is promoted by severe hypothermia or exacerbation of chronic diseases of internal organs.
The prevalence of streptococcal infections among babies is quite high. In states with a temperate continental climate, infections caused by various types of streptococci are found in ten out of a hundred babies.
It is possible to detect these microorganisms in humans in a variety of organs. They live on the skin, mucous membranes of the mouth, in the gastrointestinal tract, and on the epithelial lining of the respiratory tract. Doctor Komarovsky, for example, believes that these microorganisms constitute an important component of the normal microflora of the child's body.
Scientific research, which is aimed at studying the morphofunctional properties and the mechanism of active action of these microbes on the human body, began to be carried out since the end of the 19th century. Researchers have now found more than twenty different types of streptococcithat exist in the external environment.
Not all of them are capable of causing infectious diseases in babies. Only those species that have pronounced pathogenic factors (the ability to cause illness) can contribute to the appearance of adverse symptoms of the disease in a baby.
Streptococci are of various groups and types. This division is carried out taking into account the peculiarities of their morphological structure. The most common representatives of this class of microbes that contribute to the development of infectious pathologies in babies are group A. streptococci. Getting into a weakened child's body, these microbes are capable of causing various lesions of internal organs.
Group B streptococci also lead to the development of various infectious diseases in babies. Quite often, these microorganisms lead to the development of bacterial sepsis or pneumonia.
According to statistics, these diseases are more common in newborn babies. In the high-risk group are premature babies, as well as babies with congenital anomalies and defects in the structure of internal organs.
Pathogenic streptococci have a dangerous property - the ability to have a destructive effect on red blood cells (erythrocytes). According to the severity of this trait, all microorganisms are divided into several main groups:
- Alpha hemolytic. Contribute to the partial death of erythrocytes - hemolysis.
- Beta hemolytic. Lead, basically, to complete or massive death of erythrocytes in the bloodstream.
- Gamma hemolytic. They have a minimum of damaging effect on erythrocytes. They practically do not lead to the development of hemolysis.
Many streptococci are members of the normal flora of the gastrointestinal tract. One of these microorganisms is streptococcus viridans. These opportunistic microbes are also quite common in the urinary tract and bronchial tree.
Scientists have found that these microorganisms are found in large numbers in girls in the genital area. A strong decrease in immunity can lead to the development of the disease, which contributes to a change in the normal biocenosis.
Greening streptococci are widely represented in the oral cavity. This class of microorganisms includes many different representatives. Streptococcus mitis is often the culprit for tooth decay and other inflammatory dental diseases.
These microorganisms have the ability to reproduce rapidly and enough feel good in bone dental tissue, contributing to the development of acute or chronic inflammation in it.
The most common streptococcal species, which are most common in the pediatric population, are pyogenic microorganisms. They are also called hemolytic group A.
Streptococcus pyogenes is capable of causing a fairly huge variety of various bacterial pathologies, which are accompanied by disruption of the work of most internal organs. The prevalence of these microorganisms in the population is very high.
How can you get infected?
You can become infected with streptococci in different ways. The most common way of infection is autoinfection.
In this case, there is an excessive growth and reproduction of the existing opportunistic colonies. This happens, as a rule, as a result of the influence of various causal factors leading to a weakening of local immunity. The most common cause in children is severe hypothermia.
In severe cases, microorganisms can enter different internal organs, leading to a systemic spread of the inflammatory process. Other situations also lead to the development of self-infection:
- Extraction of a tooth or incorrectly performed pulpitis therapy;
- The consequences of removing the tonsils and adenoid growths;
- Performed bladder catheterization for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes;
- Complications of bacterial pharyngitis and diseases of the paranasal sinuses.
In some cases, the baby can become infected from the outside. This happens through contact with a sick person or carrier of the infection. This type of infection is possible mainly in very weak babies. As a rule, these are children with severe concomitant pathologies of internal organs, growing neoplasms, severe immunodeficiency states, as well as complicated diseases of the endocrine system.
Some types of streptococci are excellent for the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract by airborne droplets. These tiny bacteria are found in the saliva of a sick person or a carrier of infection in large quantities. In this case, you can get infected when talking or being next to a sick child sneezing and coughing. The spread of infection in this case is quite high.
Violation of the rules of personal hygiene contributes to the so-called "familial" outbreaks of infection. The most common infection in this case is by sharing towels, toothbrushes or washcloths. Parents should always remember that the baby should have his own personal belongings, which in no case should be used by adults.
The towels that the child uses in everyday life must be washed regularly in hot water and ironed on both sides.
Streptococcal flora is perfectly preserved and multiplies in various foods... The most favorite breeding ground for microorganisms are fermented milk products, poultry meat, various fruit drinks and fruit drinks.
Violation of the rules for storing such products and using them with an expired shelf life provokes infection in a baby with a huge number of pathogenic microbes. In this case, as a rule, the child develops various forms of lesions of the gastrointestinal tract.
Intrauterine infection by different groups of streptococci is also possible. It should be noted that it is quite rare. Group B streptococcus becomes a more frequent source of infection in this case. American scientists argue that with intrauterine infection of a baby with these microorganisms, the risk of developing bacterial pneumonia and septic conditions increases many times.
In the United States, if microbes are found even at 36 weeks of gestation in pregnant women, they are treated accordingly. This practice is not used in our country.
In European countries, all pregnant women during pregnancy must undergo tests and smears from the vagina to determine the pathogenic streptococcal flora.
Symptoms
A huge variety of representatives of streptococcal flora contribute to the development of a wide variety of clinical signs in babies. The degree of their severity can be different and depends on many reasons.
Usually a severe course of infectious pathologies occurs in newborns and babies in the first months of life... This feature is due to the fact that the immune system of infants is still not working as efficiently as adults.
The incubation period for streptococcal infections is quite variable. In some cases, the first adverse symptoms appear within a few hours after a large number of pathogens enter the child's body. In other situations, the disease develops only after 3-4 days.
In babies with pronounced signs of immunodeficiency, clinical symptoms appear somewhat earlier and can be expressed quite strongly.
Very often streptococcal infection in children manifests itself multiple lesions of the respiratory tract.
Severe redness in the mouth and bright hyperemia of the palatine arches indicate the presence of bacterial pharyngitis. This condition is also accompanied by the appearance of soreness in the throat when swallowing. The general well-being of the child is significantly impaired. The child's appetite decreases and sleep is disturbed.
Streptococcal rhinitis - one of the most common childhood pathologies. This pathological condition is characterized by the development of a rhinitis in a child with abundant discharge. In this case, nasal breathing is significantly impaired. The duration of a cold is usually 7-14 days. Lack of prescribed treatment usually leads to the spread of the infectious process from the nose to nearby organs.
Acute tonsillitis, which has developed as a result of active reproduction of streptococcal flora, is accompanied by the appearance of a whole complex of adverse symptoms in a child. In a sick baby in the throat, a greenish or gray coating appears on the inflamed tonsils. When you try to remove it with a spatula, increased bleeding may appear.
Acute streptococcal tonsillitis or tonsillitis usually accompanied by a high fever in the child and severe symptoms of intoxication.
Skin manifestations also occur quite often when infected with various types of streptococci. Streptococcal dermatitis is manifested by the appearance of various rashes on the skin, which look like bright red spots or blisters on the skin, filled with serous or bloody contents inside. In some cases, skin rashes appear on the face and neck.
Impetigo is a fairly common form of the disease that can be caused by various pathogenic streptococcal flora. This pathology is characterized by the appearance on the skin of various purulent rashes.
Often leads to the development of this disease simultaneous infection with streptococci and staphylococci. The culprits of this disease in most cases are representatives of the pyogenic group of streptococcal flora.
Inflammatory pathologies of the middle ear are usually manifested by the appearance of otitis media in a child. This pathology is accompanied by a moderate hearing loss, the appearance of "crackling" or "rustling" during a conversation in the ears of a sick baby.
Body temperature in severe streptococcal otitis media usually rises to 38-39 degrees. The child does not feel well, he has difficulty falling asleep and the length of the night's rest.
In some cases, streptococci enter various lymph nodes, contributing to the development of severe inflammation in them. Ultimately, this contributes to the development of lymphadenopathy.
A variety of groups of lymph nodes can be involved in the inflammatory process. They significantly increase in size, become available for palpation. The skin over the affected lymph nodes usually becomes red and hot to the touch.
Inflammatory pathologies of the urinary system and genitals quite often arise due to infection with pathogenic streptococci species. Girls are more susceptible to these pathologies. This is due to the fact that babies have a rather short urethra in size, as well as the close proximity of the external genital organs to the urinary tract.
A pronounced decrease in local immunity also contributes to the activation of the growth of opportunistic colonies of streptococci, which are representatives of the local flora.
Pediatric gynecologists believe that the overwhelming reason leading to the development of colpitis and other pathologies of the genital organs in girls is severe vaginal dysbiosis. Such pathologies appear, as a rule, with suddenly developed itching, which can be quite unbearable.
Girls may have difficulty urinating, cramps, or soreness during urine flow. A large number of leukocytes are found in the urinary sediment, and in some cases, erythrocytes may appear.
Diagnostics
Children's doctors believe that it is not necessary to "carry out" the treatment of tests, but to be guided by the initial state of health of the baby. If the child has unfavorable symptoms of infectious diseases, then in this case he is prescribed complex therapy aimed at eliminating all clinical signs of the disease.
Various laboratory tests are used to determine the extent of the existing deviations. They help determine the boundaries of the norm, as well as establish pathology.
Streptococci can be detected in various biological fluids and material: in the blood, in urine, in a smear from the pharynx and nasopharynx, feces. The accuracy of the research in many cases depends on how well the material was collected.
With streptococcal lesions of the urinary tract and kidneys in infants, it is very easy to identify the causative agents of infection in the urine.
There are methods of express diagnostics.They are used to quickly establish the cause of an infectious disease. These laboratory tests allow you to get the result in ½ hour.
This study should by no means be decisive in establishing a diagnosis. A positive result can only indicate a carrier. There are also false positive tests that require careful monitoring.
In the presence of rheumatological complications of diseases, various tests are carried out to determine the specific markers of these pathologies.
The concentration of protein antibodies to streptococcal flora in glomerulonephritis usually increases several times and persists throughout almost the entire period of development of the disease. These substances are determined by carrying out a specific neutralization reaction.
Doctors of various specialties are involved in diagnostics. Streptococcal otitis media and nasopharyngitis are dealt with by children's otolaryngologists. Infectious pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract are treated by gastroenterologists. Skin rashes are the responsibility of dermatologists. Diagnosis and treatment of local purulent abscesses is carried out by pediatric or purulent surgeons.
Complications
Streptococcal infection is not harmless. Diagnostics, carried out not in full, or improperly selected treatment, lead to the development of various dangerous complications and long-term consequences of the disease in a sick baby. As a rule, the course of these pathologies is quite severe. In most cases, treatment is carried out only in a hospital setting.
Inflammation of the lung tissue or pneumonia is a fairly common complication that usually occurs as a result of streptococcal bronchitis.
This pathology is characterized by the development of strong suppuration in the lungs. This disease is quite difficult. The body temperature of a sick child rises to 39-40 degrees. The baby cannot fully breathe, over time, the crumbs develop symptoms of respiratory failure.
A septic condition is the massive spread of microorganisms throughout the body. If treatment is not provided, this condition is fatal. Treatment is carried out only in the intensive care unit and intensive care unit.
To eliminate the unfavorable symptoms of the disease, the child is injected with large concentrations of antibacterial drugs and saline solutions, which are necessary to improve the microcirculation of vital internal organs.
Meningitis is a serious complication of streptococcal infection. This pathology proceeds with brain damage. It is characterized by the spread of pus between the meninges.
Meningitis caused by streptococci has many severe symptoms. These include: severe excruciating headache, severe weakness, fever up to 39-40 degrees, complete loss of appetite. To treat this condition, massive antibiotic therapy is required.
Some types of group A streptococci cause acute tonsillitis, which, with an unfavorable course, can turn into dangerous rheumatological diseases. These pathological conditions are dangerous by the development of heart defects, which are manifested by the formation of symptoms of heart failure in the child in the future.
Pediatric rheumatologists together with cardiologists are engaged in the treatment of these conditions in babies.
Treatment
Therapy of streptococcal infection is carried out taking into account the main localization of the inflammatory process. The basis of treatment is the appointment of antibacterial drugs. These funds are assigned to the course admission.
On the 3-4th day from the first intake of the antibiotic, laboratory monitoring of the effectiveness of the prescribed therapy is mandatory. For this, a general blood test is performed. In this laboratory test, leukocytes and ESR should decrease.
The duration of the course of antibacterial treatment depends on the severity of the infectious pathology. Average, therapy of streptococcal pathologies is carried out for 10-14 days... In some cases, the duration of treatment may be longer.
The frequency of taking medicines, as well as the dosage of the prescribed antibiotic, is carried out by the attending physician, taking into account the age and weight of the sick child. Have a destructive effect on streptococci drugs of the penicillin series.
Modern products containing clavulanic acid cause fewer possible side effects of damage to the stomach and intestines during the use of the drug.
If during the first control of the effectiveness of the antibacterial drug did not have a positive effect, then it is canceled and replaced with another.
Also have a detrimental effect on various streptococci cephalosporins. They have an effect on both growing colonies and existing ones. These drugs are usually given parenterally. Exceeding the course and daily dose can lead to increased side effects.
Symptomatic treatment also plays an important role in the treatment of streptococcal infection. Various anti-inflammatory drugs are used to reduce the symptoms of intoxication.
Taking antipyretic drugs helps to normalize high body temperature. Most often in children's practice, drugs based on paracetamol and ibuprofen are used.
Immunostimulating therapy with interferons is of auxiliary value and is used for combined infection with streptococci and various viruses.
Prevention
Compliance with the rules of personal hygiene is necessary to protect the body from various infectious diseases.
During massive outbreaks of streptococcal infection in educational institutions, an emergency preventive measure can be introduced - quarantine.
Family cases of infection will help to prevent only careful implementation of all hygiene principles. It is impossible to use other people's towels, as well as personal hygiene products.
To identify carriers of some forms of streptococcal infection, compulsory medical monitoring of the health of babies is required. All feverish children attending educational institutions must necessarily spend the acute period of the disease at home.
You should not attend school or kindergarten at this time, as such visits can lead to massive outbreaks of infectious pathologies.
Infants are not vaccinated against streptococcal infection. Only compliance with hygiene rules and a sanitary and hygienic regime will help prevent the disease.
For information on what diseases streptococcus causes, see the next video.
