Streptococcus Pyogenes is Inactivated by Germicidal UV-C Light

Last Updated on May 20, 2024

Streptococcus pyogenes is inactivated by germicidal ultraviolet light.

What is Streptococcus pyogenes?

Streptococcus pyogenes is a strain of Streptococcus, also known as group A streptococcus (GAS). They are bacteria made up of round cells (cocci) that tend to link together to form a chain (streptos). They are usually pathogenic , meaning they frequently cause disease, the most common of which is Strep Throat (Pharyngitis). The main symptoms of Strep Throat are sore throat along with minor skin infections. Other diseases associated with Streptococcus pyogenes include toxic shock syndrome , rheumatic fever, impetigo, and cellulitis. Unlike Strep throat, which is comparatively mild in nature, these conditions can become life-threatening.

Each year, an estimated 700 million infections occur worldwide. While the mortality rate for these infections is under 0.1%, over 650,000 of the cases are severe, with a mortality rate of 25%. Early recognition of the infection and treatment are imperative; failure to do so can result in death.

Streptococcus pyogenes is extremely contagious . Crowded settings such as schools, daycare centers, nursing homes, and military camps facilitate the spread of the organism and may result in an epidemic. The best preventative defense against spread of the infection is consistent hand washing .

Preventing the Spread of Streptococcus pyogenes

Streptococus pyogenes can spread by the following means:

Close contact with an infected person, via respiratory droplets as well as physical contact
Contact with objects, surfaces, or dust that is contaminated with the bacteria
Transmission through improper food handling

Humans are the primary reservoir for Streptococus pyogenes. There is no evidence to indicate that pets can transmit the bacteria to humans.

Treatment with an appropriate antibiotic for 12 hours or longer limits a person’s ability to transmit Streptococus pyogenes. People with pharyngitis or scarlet fever should stay home from work, school, or daycare until they are without fever.

Get Additional Protection with Germicidal UV Disinfection

In addition to the above preventative measures, Germicidal Ultraviolet (UV-C) surface disinfection can inactivate Streptococcus pyogenes in many applications. Our products use STER-L-RAY® Germicidal UV-C Lamps producing ultraviolet wavelengths at 254 nanometers, the region of germicidal effectiveness most destructive to harmful microorganisms.

View our Application FAQs for more information on how UV air and surface disinfection can help protect many types of interior spaces from contamination by Streptococcus pyogenes. View our Room Air Disinfection pag e to learn how UV can help prevent the spread of Streptococcus and other airborne microbes. Our Application Directory can help businesses, industries, and institutions to implement UV-C for many other disinfection needs.

Streptococcus pyogenes: Classification & UV-C Dose for Inactivation

Organism:	Alternate Name:	Type:	Disease:	*UV Dose:**
Streptococcus pyogenes	Group A Streptococci	Bacteria	Strep Throat	.80 mJ/cm²

Where is it found?

Streptococcus Pyogenes Found in Respiratory Droplets

Contaminated Droplets

Streptococcus Pyogenes Spreads by Touching Surfaces

Contaminated Surfaces

Contaminated
Food

What can it infect?

Streptococcus Pyogenes Infects Lower Respiratory Tract

Lungs

Streptococcus Pyogenes Infects Nose and Throat

Nose & Throat

Skin

How Does it Spread?

Streptococcus Pyogenes is Spread by Inhaling Aerosols

Inhaling Droplets

Streptococcus Pyogenes Spread Through Touching Contaminated Surfaces

Touching Surfaces

Streptococcus Pyogenes is Spread Through Contact with Contaminated Skin

Skin Contact

Streptococcus pyogenes Symptoms

The most common symptoms associated with the bacterial infection Strep Throat are as follows:

Throat pain
Painful swallowing
Red and swollen tonsils
Tiny red spots
Swollen lymph nodes
Fever
Headache
Rash
Nausea or vomiting
Body aches

If you experience any of these symptoms, consult with a doctor as soon as possible. Get plenty of rest, stay hydrated and let your doctor know if symptoms persist longer than usual. Untreated Strep throat can lead to numerous complications such as inflammation of the Kidney or rheumatic fever , which may affect joints, cause a rash, or damage heart valves.

Possible Complications from Streptococcus pyogenes

Some Streptococcus pyogenes infections can cause:

Kidney inflammation
Rheumatic fever, which can lead to painful and inflamed joints, a specific type of rash, or heart valve damage
Acute post-infectious glomerulonephritis
Pharyngitis (Strep Throat)
Cellulitis
Scarlet Fever
Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome
Impetigo
Type II Necrotizing Fasciitis

Sources on Streptococcus pyogenes

The above information can be found on the following pages. Please read complete articles to learn more.

* Nominal Ultraviolet dosage necessary to inactivate better than 99% of microorganisms. See sources below.

Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation Handbook: UVGI for Air and Surface Disinfection.
Wladyslaw Kowalski. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, 2009.

Learn More & Shop Our Products to Inactivate Streptococcus pyogenes

Made in the USA from U.S. and imported parts, Air & Surface Disinfection product lines from Atlantic Ultraviolet Corporation^® are constructed of the highest quality materials and use germicidal UV-C lamps to disinfect water and surfaces, inactivating microorganisms like Streptococcus pyogenes.

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