STREPTOCOCCUS-SUIS - PAST AND PRESENT

Steptococcus suis is a Gram-positive, facultatively anaerobic coccus t hat has been implicated as the cause of a wide range of clinical disea se syndromes in swine and other domestic animals. In swine, the diseas e has spread worldwide but is more prevalent in countries with intensi ve swine management practices. The disease syndromes caused by S. suis in swine include arthritis, meningitis, pneumonia, septicaemia, endoc arditis, polyserositis, abortions and abscesses. S. suis has also been implicated in disease in humans, especially among abattoir workers an d swine and pork handlers. In humans, S. suis type 2 can cause meningi tis, which may result in permanent hearing loss, septicaemia, endocard itis and death. The pathogenic mechanism of S. suis is not well define d. Several virulence factors have been identified, but their roles in pathogenesis and disease have not been well elucidated. Much work is i n progress on characterization of virulence factors and mechanisms, wi th emphasis on the control of the disease. Because of the non-availabi lity of suitable immunoprophylaxis, control of S. suis infection has d epended mainly on the use of antimicrobials.