Question

Given below are two statements
Statement I: Streptococcus pyogenes has been known to be pathogenic to human beings
Statement II: Streptococcus agalactiae has been known to be pathogenic to human beings
In light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below

• A. Both Statement I and Statement II are correct
• B. Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect
• C. Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect
• D. Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct

Hint:

Group A Strep (S. pyogenes) is a primary human pathogen, while Group B Strep (S. agalactiae) is both an animal mastitis pathogen and a human neonatal pathogen.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Streptococci include species that are pathogens of concern in veterinary medicine, dairy production, and human clinical health.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Streptococcus) is a primary human pathogen.
It causes infections such as streptococcal pharyngitis, scarlet fever, impetigo, and rheumatic fever.
Historically, raw milk consumption has been a vector for S. pyogenes transmission from infected milk handlers, validating Statement I.
Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Streptococcus) is a major cause of bovine mastitis in dairy herds, causing significant milk production losses.
It is also a human pathogen, serving as a leading cause of neonatal sepsis, meningitis, and pneumonia in newborns, and opportunistic infections in elderly or immunocompromised adults. This validates Statement II.
Therefore, both Statement I and Statement II are correct.

Step 3: Final Answer:
Both Statement I and Statement II are correct.