Streptococcus suis infection: An emerging/reemerging challenge of bacterial infectious diseases?

Feng, Youjun; Zhang, Huimin; Wu, Zuowei; Wang, Shihua; Cao, Min; Hu, Dan; Wang, Changjun

he blood. It is commonly referred to as "blood poisoning" or "bacteremia with sepsis". 1 This disease often causes multi-organ failure by reducing the amount of blood reaching vital organs such as the liver and kidneys. 1, 48, 75 In addition to the known bacterial pathogens (such as Staphylococcus) with capability of leading to septicemia with about 25% lethal rate, 1,180 SS2 is also a causative agent of this disease. 1 In general, SS2-caused septicemia arises as a result of the localized infection in the body, especially cut skin. 1 In patients with septicemia, some of the following symptoms can be observed: fever and chills, rising heart/respiratory rate, cold and clammy feeling, fallen blood pressure, paled ,and petechial skin, and ultimately even unconsciousness. SS2 most likely releases some toxins into the blood that break down the walls of blood vessels which allows blood to leak out under the skin (it is this leaking that causes the rash or petechiae). 33 In some cases, SS2 infects the bloodstream and the meninges at the same time, causing both septicemia and meningitis. 33, 181 Due to the rapidly progressive condition of septicemia, it can evolve into an irreversible toxic shock and even acute death if sufferers do not receive urgent treatment. 33, 181, 182 Certainly, an antibiotic remedy could be altered quickly to treat the target bacteria agents, when medical tests have identified which bacteria cause the septicemia and which antibiotics are best effective. 33, 182 Of note, some medical treatments themselves are the inducers of septicemia, e.g., dental treatment, long-term use of intravenous needles, a colostomy, and so on. 33, 175 Collectively, septicemia is so serious and complex that it deserves a lot of attention worldwide.