A 10-year-old child presents with a 'strawberry tongue' and a sandpaper-like skin rash following a sore throat. What is the causative agent?
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Correct answer: Streptococcus pyogenes
Scarlet fever is caused by Group A Streptococcus (S. pyogenes) strains that produce erythrogenic (pyrogenic) exotoxins. The classic clinical signs include pharyngitis, a diffuse erythematous rash, and the characteristic strawberry tongue.
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