[Type 2 Streptococcus suis (R-Streptococci) as pathogens of occupational diseases. Report of a case and a review of the literature].

Report on the second human case of a Streptococcus suis type 2 (group R streptococci) infection in the GDR. The patient, a 33-year-old butcher, fell ill with an acute meningitis and an initial myocarditis. Group R streptococci were isolated from cerebrospinal fluid and blood. The patient was treated with penicillin G, ampicillin and gentamicin, followed by trimethoprim-sulfamerazine. Both, meningitis and myocarditis disappeared and the patient recovered completely. The disease was recognized as an occupational disease. Review of the literature. Since 1968 108 cases of human S.suis type 2 infections were described, mostly as meningitis. In most of the cases a close contact to pigs could be confirmed.