Molecular epidemiology, antimicrobial susceptibility, and characterization of fluoroquinolone non-susceptible Streptococcus pyogenes in Japan.

Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A streptococci: GAS) are known to cause a wide variety of human illnesses, some of which can be life-threatening. Usually, penicillin is the first-choice agent for the treatment of GAS infections. For patients with penicillin or beta-lactam antibiotics allergies, macrolide drugs are recommended as an alternative therapy.