EC Paediatrics

Multicenter studies between 2011-2018 warned of an increase in invasive infections by Streptococcus pyogenes in several countries. In December 2022 there was a new health alert in the United Kingdom.

Streptococcus pyogenes is a gram-positive bacterium and the surface M protein is responsible for its virulence. It causes mostly pharyngotonsillar infections, lymphangitis, cellulitis, abscesses but also arthritis, osteomyelitis, complicated pneumonia, necrotizing fasciitis and sepsis among others.

We present the case of a 12-year-old patient who was admitted due to fever that was difficult to control, lymphangitis and polyarthritis. The joint fluid result suggested septic arthritis. Subsequently, blood culture and PCR were received in joint fluid positive for Streptococcus pyogenes.

Keywords: Polyarthritis; Bacteriemia; Streptococcus pyogenes

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