Fatal Streptococcus suis septicemia in an abattoir worker

A 51-year-old abattoir worker became ill with high fever and was admitted to hospital late in the evening, where he died 4 h later. Smears of peripheral blood taken 7 h after death showed numerous cocci. Cultures of the blood grew beta-hemolytic streptococci exhibiting the biochemical properties of Streptococcus suis II. A complete autopsy with extensive microscopical studies showed numerous bacteria in small vessels of several organs, but no bacterial colonisation of tissues, meningitis, or other relevant lesions were found. The group R antigen of the bacteria could be demonstrated by immunofluorescence in paraffin sections of the kidney and the adrenal gland. Two similar cases of fulminant fatal Streptococcus suis II septicemia have been reported from Denmark. This appears to be the first case observed in the Federal Republic of Germany.