Treatment FAQ

why do we fail with penicillin in the treatment of group a streptococcus

by Mr. Ola Lemke III Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Thus an antibiotic, targeted against the strains of group-A Streptococci that have entered into the respiratory epithelial cells, which is unable to penetrate the cell membrane (such as penicillins), would fail to eradicate the bacteria.

Among these are coexistence of oropharyngeal beta-lactamase-producing bacteria that degrade penicillin, growth interference by aerobic and anaerobic commensals, penicillin tolerance, reinfection, and poor antibiotic compliance.

Full Answer

Why does penicillin fail to kill Streptococcus in pharyngo-tonsillitis?

The failure of penicillin to eradicate Streptococci from the throat occurs in up to 35% of patients with pharyngo-tonsillitis. Several explanations have been advanced, such as coexistence of oropharyngeal beta-lactamase-producing bacteria, interference by aerobic and anaerobic commensals, penicillin tolerance, reinfection.

Do I need antibiotics for Group A strep?

In general, it is not necessary for all persons exposed to someone with an invasive group A streptococcal infection to be tested or receive preventive antibiotics. If household contacts are in good health, they should be watched for signs of GAS infection, but will not need to take preventive antibiotics.

Why is penicillin resistant to beta-lactamase?

Among the most likely explanations for this remarkable state of continued susceptibility to penicillin are that beta-lactamase may not be expressed or may be toxic to the organism and/or that low-affinity penicillin-binding proteins either are not expressed or render organisms nonviable.

How dangerous are Group A streptococci?

Occasionally, however, these bacteria can cause much more severe and even life threatening diseases such as necrotizing fasciitis (occasionally described as "the flesh-eating bacteria") and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS). In addition, people may carry group A streptococci in the throat or on the skin and have no symptoms of disease.

Is Streptococcus resistant to penicillin?

Pneumococci and viridans streptococci are often resistant to penicillins owing to mutations in the target penicillin-binding proteins.

How effective is penicillin in treating Streptococcus?

The primary outcome was noninferiority in clearing clinical infection at 5 to 7 days after antibiotic treatment; secondary outcomes were relapse and complications. In the per-protocol analysis of 397 patients, clinical cure occurred in 89.6% in the 5-day group versus 93.3% in the 10-day group.

Is group A streptococcus resistant to antibiotics?

Most strains of Streptococcus pyogenes express the fibronectin-binding proteins F1 and F2, which promote bacterial adherence to and entry into human cells. Strains containing the gene for the protein F1 have been proved to be responsible for the failure of antibiotic treatment to eradicate Streptococcus pyogenes.

What is the antibiotic of choice for group A streptococcus?

Penicillin or amoxicillin is the antibiotic of choice to treat group A strep pharyngitis.

Does group A strep have beta lactamase?

Group A streptococci are protected from amoxicillin-mediated killing by vesicles containing β-lactamase derived from Haemophilus influenzae. J Antimicrob Chemother.

How long does penicillin take to work on strep?

Answer: If you're taking antibiotics for a strep throat, you can expect to start feeling a little bit better in two to three days, and oftentimes completely better in five days.

How does bacterial resistance develop with penicillins?

Bacteria Can Become Resistant to Penicillin by Modifying Enzymes That Make the Cell Wall. Some bacteria, including Streptococcus phenominae, have developed resistance to β-lactams through modification of their penicillin binding proteins (or PBPs), which make up the active site of transpeptidase enzymes.

What is the best antibiotic for resistant strep?

Many antibiotics---such as penicillin-can be used to treat recurrent strep throat infections. Clindamycin or rifampin, in combination with a second antibiotic, such as penicillin, amoxicillin, or a cephalosporin, has been used to treat acute, recurrent, and carrier strep throat infections.

Why is penicillin effective against Gram positive bacteria?

Penicillin is effective only against Gram-positive bacteria because Gram negative bacteria have a lipopolysaccharide and protein layer that surrounds the peptidoglygan layer of the cell wall, preventing penicillin from attacking.

Does Ampicillin treat group A strep?

The use of ampicillin and clindamycin is the first choice. In this study, we found that all isolates from patients of severe invasive group A streptococcal infections were sensitive to ampicillin and cefotaxime, which have killing activity for the growing bacteria.

Does amoxicillin treat group B strep?

The choice of antibiotic depends on the location and extent of the infection and your specific circumstances. If you're pregnant and you develop complications due to group B strep, you'll be given oral antibiotics, usually penicillin, amoxicillin (Amoxil, Larotid) or cephalexin (Keflex).

For what purpose penicillin is used?

Penicillins are a group of antibiotics that fight bacteria and was originally developed from the Penicillium fungi. Penicillin V is one type of penicillin antibiotic and is used to treat a wide range of bacterial infections such as ear infections, throat infections, skin infections and preventing rheumatic fever.

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