Streptococcal sepsis

Sepsis is the technical term for blood poisoning. In this clinical picture, the body is infected with bacteria, more rarely with viruses or fungi. In the case of steptococcal sepsis, blood poisoning is caused by the streptococcal bacteria. During the infection the body is not able to start a sufficient immune response, so it cannot defend itself sufficiently against the bacteria. Instead, the streptococci begin to colonize several organs, causing inflammatory reactions against these bacteria throughout the body.

Causes of streptococcal sepsis

The causes of streptococcal sepsis are many and varied, but they are always based on the same principle: the starting point for such sepsis can be in the lungs (pneumonia), the heart (endocarditis), the urinary bladder (urocystitis) and many other organs. Sepsis then occurs mainly in persons whose immune system is weakened. For example, small children or old people, but also those who take immunosuppressive drugs (drugs that inhibit the immune system) or suffer from an immune disease such as HIV are at risk.

Streptococci attack an organ, where the body cannot defend itself sufficiently.
Subsequently, the streptococci spread and generalized inflammation occurs.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of streptococcal sepsis consists of three parts. A rapid test can also confirm an initial suspicion of a streptococcal infection. This can be obtained easily and quickly from the pharmacy.

First the bacteria must be detected. These can usually be obtained from a blood sample.
In the second step, the so-called infection focus is searched for. Here one tries to find the origin of the infection in order to be able to treat the source of the pathogen.
The third component consists of the evaluation of the function of all organs. In this way, it is possible to determine how far sepsis has already developed and, based on this, to determine the severity of the disease and the necessary therapy.