Streptococcus pyogenes

erysipelas er`y*sip"e*las ([e^]r`[i^]*s[i^]p"[-e]*las), n. [L., fr. Gr. 'erysi`pelas; 'eryqro`s red + pe`lla hide, skin. See {Red}, and {Pell}, n.] (Med.) St. Anthony's fire; a febrile disease accompanied with a diffused red edematous inflammation of the skin, which, starting usually from a single point, spreads gradually over its surface. It is often accompanied by severe constitutional symptoms. It is caused by a group A hemolytic streptococcus ({Streptococcus pyogenes}), is contagious, and formerly often occured epidemically. [1913 Webster +PJC]