Infectious Diseases

Group A Streptococcus (group A strep, Streptococcus pyogenes) can cause both noninvasive and invasive disease (GAS), as well as other sequelae.

• Strep Throat - acute Pharyngitis due to S. pyogenes
• Scarlet Fever - a carlatiniform rash and usually occurs with pharyngitis due to S. pyogenes
• Impetigo - a highly contagious non-bullous superficial skin infection due by S. pyogenes, S. aureus (or both), known as "impetigo contagiosa”
• Cellulitis - a subcutaneous infection due to S. pyogenes
• Type II Necrotizing Fascitis - hemolytic streptococcal gangrene
• Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) - an infection with S. pyogenes accompanied by sudden onset of shock, organ failure, and frequently death
• Acute Rheumatic Fever - a nonsuppurative, delayed sequela due to S. pyogenes
• Post-Streptococcal Glomerulonephritis - an immunologically-mediated delayed sequela of pharyngitis or skin infections caused by nephritogenic strains of S. pyogenes

Group A Streptococcus (GAS): Information for Clinicians

Streptococcus Laboratory

CDC’s Streptococcus Laboratory provides support for active population-based surveillance for invasive streptococcal disease, primarily caused by groups A and B streptococci and Streptococcus pneumoniae. It supports state and local health departments in the United States to characterize streptococcal isolates and is active in many international collaborations. The laboratory is a reference center for the identification and characterization of streptococci and other Gram-positive catalase-negative cocci.

• Streptococcus pneumoniae
• Streptococcus agalactiae

Group B Streptococcus (GBS): Information for Clinicans

Streptococcus Laboratory

CDC’s Streptococcus Laboratory provides support for active population-based surveillance for invasive streptococcal disease, primarily caused by groups A and B streptococci and Streptococcus pneumoniae. It supports state and local health departments in the United States to characterize streptococcal isolates and is active in many international collaborations. The laboratory is a reference center for the identification and characterization of streptococci and other Gram-positive catalase-negative cocci.