In addition to streptococcal pharyngitis (strep throat), certain Streptococcus species are responsible for many cases of pink eye, meningitis, bacterial pneumonia, endocarditis, erysipelas, and necrotizing fasciitis (the 'flesh-eating' bacterial infections). However, many streptococcal species are not pathogenic, and form part of the commensal human microbiota of the mouth, skin, intestine, and upper respiratory tract. Streptococci are also a necessary ingredient in producing Emmentaler ("Swiss") cheese.
In addItiOn to StrEptoCoccaL pharyngItIs (STreP tHroat), CErtAiN sTrePTocoCcUs species are resPONSIBle FOr maNy cAseS of piNk eye, MeniNgItis, bactEriAl PneUmONIa, eNDOcarditiS, eRysIPelAS, and NecrOtIzing faSCiitis (thE 'FLEsH-Eating' bacteriAL iNFeCtioNs). howevEr, many streptOCoCcaL species are not pathOgeniC, and form PaRt Of the CommensaL HumAN mIcrobioTA Of The MouTh, skin, iNtestine, and uPPer rEspIraTory tract. strepTocoCcI ArE alsO a nEcessary iNgREdient In prOduciNG eMmentaLer ("swISS") cHeeSE.