Chatchai struck down by a virulent streptococcus bug
After hearing that news anchor Chatchai Plengphanij, who always appeared healthy and strong, was suddenly attacked by a scary-sounding bacterial disease shortly after a workout about a week ago, you probably want to know more.
Laboratory tests have confirmed he had Streptococcus agalactiae or Streptococcus group B. Basically, this pathogen is a form of bacterium that causes a deadly infection. It was once common in pregnant women and newborn babies. The good news is this type of group-B streptococcal infection is extremely unusual. The bad news is that the disease, which is known in the medical world as group-B streptococcal infection, has been ever more commonly found in healthy adults over the past few decades. In the US, the incidence of invasive group-B streptococcal infection in the non-pregnant adult population of Atlanta during 1982-1983 was 2.4 cases per 100,000. A subsequent study conducted in Atlanta from 1989-1990 revealed an incidence of 4.4 cases per 100,000. The situation with group-B streptococci in the developing world is not so well documented. "This organism is an extremely rare cause of infection in a healthy individual. It is almost always associated with underlying abnormalities," an article entitled "Streptococcus Group-B Infections", which was published online at www.emedicine.com on 24 March, explains. Diabetes is the disease most commonly associated with group-B streptococci, says the same article. Other conditions associated with group-B streptococcal infections in adults include neurological deficits, cirrhosis, steroids, Aids, renal dysfunction and peripheral vascular disease. In people aged 70 or older, group-B streptococcal infection is strongly linked to congestive heart failure and being bedridden. The symptoms of group-B streptococcal infection in adults can appear in three major forms: meningitis (tissues around the brain swelling), urinary-tract infections and blood poisoning, said Dr Thawat Suntharacharn, the director-general of the Thai Disease Control Department. Chatchai's condition fell into the third group of symptoms, said the doctor. Before the blood poisoning comes, fevers and sore throat are in evidence, Thawat said. Therefore, if detected at this early stage, the disease can be held at bay by simple penicillin treatment. To prevent contracting the disease, all people, but particularly those with risk factors, should avoid being exposed to droplets from coughs and sneezes from a person who might have the infection, Thawat said. The infection is usually localised in the inner nasal passage and throat.
Arthit Kwankhom The Nation
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