Streptococcus Suis

 Streptococcus suis infection is acquired through exposure to contaminated pigs or pig meat. Over the past few years, the number of reported S. suis infections in humans has increased significantly, with most cases originating in Southeast Asia, where there is a high density of pigs. Increased awareness, improved diagnostics, and the occurrence of outbreaks have contributed to this increase. Meningitis and sepsis are the most common clinical manifestations of S. suis infection; hearing loss is a frequent complication. Streptococcus suis is a pathogen in pigs that can cause severe systemic infection in humans. S. suis was first reported by veterinarians in 1954, after outbreaks of meningitis, septicemia, and purulent arthritis occurred among piglets. Fourteen years later, the first human S. suis cases were diagnosed in Denmark, and subsequently, other cases were reported in other northern European countries and Hong Kong. The number of human S. suis cases reported in the literature has increased significantly over the past few years.