Is Alpha hemolytic strep in urine a contaminant?
Organisms such as lactobacilli, alpha-hemolytic Streptococcus, and anaerobes do not grow well in urine and are usually considered nonpathologic contaminants when isolated in urine.
What does Alpha hemolysis cause?
Alpha hemolysis (α) is the reduction of the red blood cell hemoglobin to methemoglobin in the medium surrounding the colony. This causes a green or brown discoloration in the medium. The color can be equated with “bruising” the cells.
What does alpha hemolytic streptococcus mean?
pl. n. Streptococci that partially lyse red blood cells cultured on a blood agar medium, producing a green color around the cell colonies.
What does it mean if you have strep in your urine?
Group B Strep in the urine GBS detected in the urine usually means a GBS urinary tract infection is present – this should be treated at diagnosis with oral antibiotics and the treatment repeated until urine tests come back clear.
What is the difference between beta and alpha hemolysis?
The main difference between alpha and beta hemolysis is that alpha hemolysis is involved in partial hemolysis associated with the reduction of hemoglobin in red blood cells whereas beta hemolysis is involved in the complete hemolysis of red blood cells that surround the colony.
What bacteria causes hemolysis?
Beta-hemolytic Streptococci Beta hemolysis is caused by two hemolysins O and S; the former is inactive in the presence of oxygen. Thus, stabbing of the plate increases the intensity of the hemolysis reaction. S is an oxygen-stable cytotoxin.
What causes alpha-hemolytic Streptococcus?
Predisposing factors in older children include endocarditis and trauma, surgery or anomaly involving the central nervous system. Dental infections, including dental caries, abscesses, and periodontal disease, often are due to viridans streptococci, most commonly S.
How is alpha-hemolytic Streptococcus treated?
Invasive infections usually result in a hospital stay. Severe invasive infections may require intensive treatment with intravenous antibiotics for 7-10 days. In some cases surgery may be required to remove or repair damaged tissue.
What antibiotics treat strep in urine?
Penicillin remains the drug of choice in the treatment of Group B Streptococcus related urinary tract infections (16).