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Invasive group a streptococcal infections, Israel
Allon E Moses1, Sara Goldberg, Zinaida Korenman
1Hadassah University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Isreal. MOSESA@MD2.HUJI.AC.IL
Emerging Infectious Diseases
|April 25, 2002
Summary
Invasive group A streptococcal infections are rare but serious, with soft-tissue infections and bacteremia being common. Certain communities, like the Jewish orthodox, show higher incidence rates.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Group A Streptococcus (GAS) causes a range of infections, from mild pharyngitis to severe invasive diseases.
- Understanding the epidemiology and characteristics of invasive GAS infections is crucial for public health.
- Previous studies have indicated geographical and demographic variations in invasive GAS disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence, clinical features, and serotype distribution of invasive group A streptococcal infections in Israel.
- To identify risk factors and high-risk populations for invasive GAS disease.
- To analyze the prevalence of specific M types among invasive isolates.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, nationwide, population-based study was conducted.
- Data were collected on 409 patients with invasive GAS infections over a defined period.
- Bacteriological analysis included M typing and serotyping of GAS isolates.
Main Results:
- The overall annual incidence of invasive GAS infections was 3.7 per 100,000 population.
- Mortality rate was 5%, with bacteremia in 31% of cases.
- Soft-tissue infections (63%) and primary bacteremia (14%) were the most common presentations. M types M3, M28, and M-nontypable predominated, with a low prevalence of M1.
- A significantly higher incidence (16 per 100,000) was observed in the Jewish orthodox community.
Conclusions:
- Invasive group A streptococcal infections in Israel have a low overall incidence but a significant mortality rate.
- Specific M types are prevalent, with a notable absence of M1 serotype.
- The study identified concentrated pockets of disease, particularly within the Jewish orthodox community, suggesting a need for targeted public health interventions.