Group L beta-haemolytic streptococcal infection in meat handlers: another streptococcal zoonosis?

Group L, beta-haemolytic streptococci can cause infection in dogs, pigs, cattle and sheep but there have been very few reports in man. In studies of skin infection in meat handlers we cultured group L streptococci from clinically infected wounds, impetigo and paronychia of 15 patients involved in the slaughter and processing of chickens and pigs. Staphylococcus aureus was also present in eight (53%) of the lesions. At least five other infections with group L streptococci in meat and animal handlers are known to have occurred in other parts of England in recent years, and brief details are given.