Streptococcus pyogenes is an organism that can cause several types of infections of the respiratory or integumentary system, but can also cause systemic infections. Streptococcus pyogenes is present throughout the environment and is an opportunistic pathogen causing disease in immunocompromised individuals4. It is also called group A streptococcus (GAS) or beta-hemolytic streptococcus3. These are Gram-positive bacteria in the shape of shells (spherical) arranged in chains3. S. Pyogenes is nonmotile and nonsporulating, catalase negative, facultatively negative, and 0.6 to 1.0 µm in diameter1. When S. pyogenes in culture appears, it usually appears as white-gray colonies 1 to 2 mm in diameter surrounded by areas of complete beta hemolysis1. However, if they lack capsules or M protein, they will appear as glassy, ​​opaque colonies1. Streptococcus pyogenes causes many different skin and soft tissue diseases, such as impetigo, erysipelas, pyoderma, cellulitis, fasciitis, and respiratory infections such as streptococcal pharyngitis, which can lead to scarlet fever4 . Other illnesses caused by Streptococcus pyogenes include streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS), sepsis, pneumonia, and meningitis4. Streptococcus pyogenes is the leading cause of pharyngitis and streptococcal pharyngitis is one of the most common bacterial infections in children aged 5 to 15 years1. It is transmitted by direct person-to-person contact through saliva and nasal secretions1. Clinical manifestations of the disease include an incubation period of 2 to 4 days followed by symptoms of sore throat, malaise, fever and headache1. Symptoms in children may include nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain1. Signs include redness, enlarged mandibular lymph nodes, and enlarged tonsils...... middle of paper ...... we cover the membranes and prevent it from infecting the cells3. IgA protease inhibits this activity3. Treatment for Streptococcus pyogenes infections is with antibiotics, most commonly penicillin2. Penicillin belongs to the class of antibiotics that inhibit the synthesis of the cell wall of bacteria3. No vaccine is currently available to protect against infections caused by Streptococcus pyogenes. However, they are currently studying whether vaccines containing the M protein would be effective against streptococcal infections2. A possible vaccine focused on the virulence factor M protein has been developed and has successfully passed phase 1 of clinical trials, but it would not cover all serotypes5. Studies are underway to try to develop a vaccine that would protect against S. pyogenes infections5. This would be revolutionary for the healthcare profession!