Occult life-threatening streptococcal septicaemia in the elderly. A report of 2 cases

Streptococcal septicaemia may occur as a fulminant illness, which has a reported mortality rate in excess of 80%. The organism is, however, usually highly sensitive to penicillin and prompt diagnosis and initiation of therapy should reduce this. Two patients with streptococcal septicaemia who presented in shock, initially thought to have a primary vascular cause, are reported. The course of the disease illustrates the importance of recognizing the protean modes of presentation of this condition and of starting appropriate therapy before laboratory confirmation of the diagnosis.