Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies dysgalactiae as a cause of urinary tract infection in a diabetic woman: A case report and review of literature

Group C Streptococci comprises of Streptococcus dysgalatiae that is further divided into two subspecies, namely S. dysgalactiae subspecies equisimilis and S. dysgalactiae subspecies dysgalactiae. S. dysgalactiae subspecies dysgalactiae is mainly an animal pathogen but few cases of human infections have been described in the literature. A 40 year old patient presented to the hospital with complaints of pain in pelvis and suprapubic area. Urine sample of the patient was subjected to microscopy and culture for isolation and identification of the etiological agent. S. dysgalactiae subspecies dysgalactiae was identified from the clinical specimen of the patient by conventional and automated methods. The patient was successfully treated with third generation cephalosporin. With newer or rarely reported pathogens causing human diseases and increase in number of immunocompromised individuals in the population, the pathogenic potential of such isolates should not be undermined and a careful correlation with the clinical profile should help guide a clinician in optimum treatment of the patient.