Acanthocytosis

Acantocytosis is associated with various diseases among which are a
β-lipoproteinemia, a genetic disease, following splenectomy, following
exposure to toxic chemical, and massive carcinoid tumor. No previous
studies have, up to the best knowledge of the author, reported acanthocytosis
to be induced by pathogens.
The aim of the present study was to explore the potential of β-hemolytic
Streptococcus group A to induce acanthocytosis.
The methodology of the present study involved incubation of β-hemolytic
Streptococcus group A with blood samples, examining blood films of
patients diagnosed with β-hemolytic Streptococcus group A and examining
urine samples showing acanthocytosis for β-hemolytic Streptococcus group
A.
Study findings confirmed that acanthocytosis was induced by β-hemolytic
Streptococcus group A, and patients diagnosed with β-hemolytic
Streptococcus group A showed acanthocytosis in their blood smears. Urine
samples showing acnathocytes in microscopic examination were positive for
β-hemolytic Streptococcus group A.
Taken together, Acanthocytosis is a diagnostic feature of β-lipoproteinemia,
a genetic disease. Our data pointed to a new causative agent in which βhemolytic
Streptococcus
group
A
induces
acanthocytosis
with
high
potential

to
play
a new
etiological
agent
in
pathogenesis
of
diseases.

Our
data
are
preliminary
findings
that
need
to
be
further
investigations
since

pathogens
seem
to
have
non-classical
roles
and
new
pathological
studies
are

required
to
explore
such
roles.