The Streptococcus genus of Gram-positive bacteria includes a large number of pathogenic and commensal species that affect humans. Infection by a number of Streptococcus species have been studied in flies, primarily S. pneumoniae and S. agalactiae (GBS). Infection is typically achieved by injection into adult flies.
The Disease Ontology includes several entries related to Streptococcus infection: Streptococcus pneumonia (DOID:0040084), streptococcal meningitis (DOID:11574), and acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis (DOID:14064).
[updated Feb. 2021 by FlyBase; FBrf0222196]
The Streptococcus genus includes a large number of invasive species that affect humans. The genus is divided into 49 species and eight subspecies, from which as many as 35 have been identified as sources of invasive infections in humans. These include S. pneumoniae, S. pyogenes - group A (group A Streptococcus, GAS), S. agalactiae - group B (group B Streptococcus, GBS), and S. mutans. Streptococcus pneumoniae is responsible for the highest number of pneumonia cases all over the world. (Krzysciak et al., 2013; pubmed:24141975).
Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) is a Gram-positive bacterium that is responsible for the majority of community-acquired pneumonia; it can also cause bronchitis, otitis media, septicemia, and meningitis. S. pneumoniae is a commensal organism in the human respiratory tract. (https://www.news-medical.net/health/Streptococcus-pneumoniae-(pneumococcus)-Overview.aspx)
Beta-hemolytic group A streptococcus or Streptococcus pyogenes, a gram-positive human pathogen that habitually colonizes the throat or skin of the host, is a cause of streptococcal pharyngitis – more commonly known as “strep throat”. (https://www.news-medical.net/health/What-Causes-Strep-Throat.aspx)
Group B streptococcus (S. agalactiae) is a common bacterium often carried in the intestines or lower genital tract. The bacterium is usually harmless in healthy adults. In newborns, however, it can cause a serious illness known as group B strep disease. (https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/group-b-strep/symptoms-causes/syc-20351729)
S. mutans, belonging to the viridans species, inhabits the mouth and contributes to tooth decay (https://www.britannica.com/science/Streptococcus-mutans).
