Household Transmission of Group A Streptococcus Necrotizing Fasciitis
Michael Markowitz1, Stephanie Kwan, Jonas L Matzon
1From the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery (Dr. Markowitz, Dr. Kwan), Rowan University SOM, Stratford, NJ (Dr. Markowitz, Dr. Kwan), and Orthopaedic Surgery (Dr. Matzon), Rothman Orthopaedic Institute-Hand, Wrist, Elbow, & Microvascular Surgery, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Rothman Institute, Philadelphia, PA.
Abstract:
A healthy 40-year-old woman was diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis 2 days after her husband's death from the same infectious process. Prompt identification and immediate surgical intervention prevented a similar result in this patient. Additional investigation into both patients' medical records found the inciting organism to be group A streptococcus. Although the exact mechanism of inoculation is unknown, the spread of this infection within a household prompts the question of whether antibiotic prophylaxis should be given among close contacts in future cases of necrotizing fasciitis.
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