Necrotizing Fasciitis

Streptococcus pyogenes is a member of the group A streptococci, a group of bacteria that are usually responsible for cases of sore throat and skin infections (Conrad). Majority of the cases that include necrotizing fasciitis begin with an injury already involved and sometimes even an infection, most frequently on an extremity or in a wound. Furthermore, the presence of a debilitating underlying condition including malignancies raise the chances of one obtaining necrotizing fasciitis. "Subcutaneous soft tissue diseases occur primarily in patients who have had recent surgery or have predisposing conditions like diabetes mellitus, but they can occur apparently spontaneously in otherwise healthy people after a minor injury"(Ramin,Tortora).
             "Characteristically, Streptococcus pyogenes is a Gram-positive facultative anaerobic bacterium." It is not able to move independently or spontaneously, and does not produce spores. It arrives as long strands of cocci, sometimes in pairs. As mentioned before, it is a member of the group A streptococci and this group of bacterium typically hold a capsule "composed of hyaluronic acid and are beta-hemolytic, which is true for streptococcus pyogenes"(Todar). "Beta-hemolytic streptococci produce a toxin that forms a clear zone of hemolysis on blood agar, demonstrating its ability to destroy red blood cells" (Charlotte). This hemolysis contribute the the toxins formed by Group A streptococci called streptolysins. "Streptolysins can destroy not only red blood cells, but also the white blood cells responsible for fighting off bacteria and disease, as well as other body cells" (Funke, Charlotte).
             Necrotizing fasciitis has been split into two forms. Type one is composed of an infection due to a mixture of anaerobic bacterium typically with a large family of "gram-negative rod-shaped bacteria and occasionally with a bacteria that is able to make ATP with aerobic respiration if oxygen is present"("Facultative"), yet it is able to switch to fermentation or anaerobic respiration if oxygen is absent, but not including S.