A third of all deaths worldwide can be traced to infectious diseases. Streptococcus bacteria can be highly dangerous, especially to children in India, Australia and Africa. If streptococcus infections are not recognized and treated rapidly, the bacteria can lodge in the body and trigger chronic conditions. There are about 6 million new infections a year. An Indian scientist is researching at the Helmholtz Center for Infection Research in Braunschweig to learn more about the disease with the aim of developing a quick, affordable test.