Streptococcosis

What is streptococcosis and incoordination, blindness, and con- Streptococcosis can also cause what causes it? vulsions and death. In dogs and cats, infections throughout the body (e.g., Streptococcosis is a general name skin, wound or joint infections, pneu- skin, heart, joints, lungs). Less com- for a variety of diseases caused by a monia, or mastitis may bee seen. monly it can lead to severe and even group of bacteria called Streptococ- Occasionally, “strep” causes a severe fatal disease such as toxic shock syn- cus (strep-TOE-coccus). Some “strep” and fatal condition called toxic shock drome. organisms normally live on the body syndrome. It has a quick, progressive onset; most aff ected animals will die. Who should I contact, if I of humans or animals and do not suspect streptococcosis? cause disease. Others may cause Signs may include coughing, vom- iting, extreme weakness, stiff ness, In Animals – disease (sometimes severe) in both Contact your veterinarian. people and animals. muscle tremors, seizures, intense pain, and possibly bleeding from the In Humans – What animals can get nose or bloody diarrhea. Contact your physician. streptococcosis? Can I get streptococcosis? How can I protect my animal The animals most commonly Yes. People can get streptococco- from streptococcosis? aff ected with streptococcosis are sis; the majority of infections occur Since “strep” organisms are nor- horses, guinea pigs, swine, dogs, from exposure to other people mally found on animals, it is diffi - cats, and fi sh. Less frequently disease infected with Streptococcus bacteria cult to prevent infections. Reducing can occur in monkeys, cattle, sheep, or from “strep” organisms entering stress, cleaning wounds, and practic- goats, ferrets, poultry. through wounds (direct contact), ing good hygiene will help minimize How can my animal get aerosol, or sometimes by ingestion disease. Prevent exposure of animals streptococcosis? (oral). Getting “strep” infections from to those known to be infected with animals are very rare. Streptococcus bacteria. Streptococcus bacteria are com- mon on the bodies of animals along “Strep throat” is common in How can I protect myself with numerous other types of bacte- children. Symptoms include sore from streptococcosis? ria, as part of the normal fl ora. When throat, painful swallowing, head- Practice good hand washing, espe- the bacteria enter cuts, abrasions, ache, high fever, nausea, vomiting, cially after coughing and sneezing other wounds or when the immune and runny nose. If a rash is present, and before preparing foods or eating. system becomes weakened, disease the disease is called scarlet fever. Clean any wounds thouroughly with may occur. The bacteria can be spread soap and water. If signs of wound between animals by direct contact, infection (e.g., redness, swelling, drain- aerosol, fomites and sometimes age, pain, fever) occur, seek medical ingestion (oral). care. Avoid people or animals known How does streptococcosis to have “strep”. When working with affect my animal? animals, wear gloves and wash hands thoroughly afterwards. There are many diff erent species and strains of Streptococcus, so a wide Streptococcosis For More Information range of disease signs may be seen. Infection can be mild to severly fatal. is a disease caused by a CFSPH Technical Fact Sheets. Strepto- coccosis at http://www.cfsph.iastate. “Strep” bacteria can cause wound group of bacteria edu/DiseaseInfo/default.htm infections, abscesses, respiratory commonly found infection, and other illness. In horses, on the skin of CDC website. Streptococcosis at http:// signs of disease may include runny humans and animals. www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/sub- nose, coughing, breeding problems, menus/sub_streptococcus.htm Photos from http://visindavefur.hi.is/svar.asp and abortion, or mastitis. In swine, infec- Medycyna Praktyczna OnLine tion can cause swollen joints, fever, Last Updated: June 2006 © 2006 STRP_F0606