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Toxic shock due to Streptococcus pyogenes in a rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta)
Anapatricia García1, Katherine Paul, Bernard Beall
1Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. agarci5@emory.edu
Journal of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science : JAALAS
|September 26, 2006
Summary
Group A Streptococcus infections are rising globally. A pregnant rhesus monkey developed severe cardiac and toxic shock symptoms from S. pyogenes, mirroring human rheumatic heart disease.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Veterinary Pathology
- Cardiology
Background:
- Group A Streptococcus (Streptococcus pyogenes) causes widespread suppurative and nonsuppurative infections.
- S. pyogenes toxins are linked to pyrogenicity, skin reactions, immunologic effects, and myocardial necrosis.
- Recent obstetric S. pyogenes infections present differently than classic puerperal sepsis.
Observation:
- A pregnant rhesus monkey spontaneously developed S. pyogenes infection.
- The animal exhibited lesions consistent with bacteremia and toxic shock.
- Severe cardiac lesions resembling human rheumatic heart disease were noted.
Findings:
- S. pyogenes was isolated from multiple tissues, including intracardiac blood, liver, placenta, and fetal tissues.
- The monkey's cardiac lesions were similar to human rheumatic heart disease.
- The S. pyogenes isolate possessed a unique M protein gene.
Implications:
- This case highlights S. pyogenes as a potential pathogen in non-human primates, presenting with severe cardiac manifestations.
- The findings suggest a potential animal model for studying S. pyogenes-associated cardiac pathology, including rheumatic heart disease.
- Further research into the unique M protein gene may elucidate novel virulence factors and therapeutic targets.
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