Streptococcus zooepidemicus (group C streptococci) as a cause of human infection.

Cervical lymphadenitis with high fever and respiratory distress in a 3-year-old boy is reported. Group C streptococci were isolated from the boy's throat and these were identified as Streptococcus zooepidemicus. The patient recovered after treatment with penicillin. Strep. zooepidemicus is extremely rare as a causative organism of human infections. Even symptomless carriers are very rare. Group C streptococci isolated from humans normally belong to the species Strep. equisimilis.