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Group A Streptococcus invasive infection in children: Epidemiologic changes and implications
J T Ramos Amador1, A Berzosa Sánchez, M Illán Ramos
1José Tomás Ramos Amador, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, Spain. josetora@ucm.es.
Insights
Group A Streptococcus (GAS) infections are rising in children post-pandemic. This increase is linked to reduced immunity from COVID-19 isolation, not new strains, necessitating prompt treatment and surveillance.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Group A Streptococcus (GAS) causes diverse clinical issues.
- Recent months show increased pediatric invasive GAS infections in Europe.
- This rise follows COVID-19 pandemic isolation measures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the recent surge in invasive Group A Streptococcus infections in children.
- To investigate the contributing factors behind the increased incidence and severity.
- To highlight the need for enhanced surveillance and early intervention.
Main Methods:
- Observational analysis of pediatric invasive GAS cases.
- Correlation with seasonal viral respiratory pathogen incidence.
- Assessment of potential contributing factors like immunity gaps.
Main Results:
- Increased incidence and severity of invasive GAS infections observed in young children.
- No specific predominant GAS strains identified as the cause.
- Reduced population immunity to GAS and viral infections linked to COVID-19 isolation is a likely factor.
Conclusions:
- Prompt medical and surgical treatment is crucial due to nonspecific initial symptoms.
- Prevention strategies and continuous microbiological surveillance of invasive GAS strains are essential.
- Addressing immunity gaps may be key to mitigating future outbreaks.
Abstract:
Group A Streptococcus (GAS) can cause a broad array of clinical manifestations and complications. Recently, in post COVID-19 postpandemic months, there has been an increased incidence and severity of invasive infections in the pediatric age group in Spain and other European countries with high morbidity, affecting mostly to young children, associated with seasonal peaks in incidence of viral respiratory pathogens. The increased in incidence and severity has not been associated with predominant GAS strains, but rather to the lack of immunity to both GAS and common viral respiratory infections due to isolation measures to prevent COVID-19. Due to the nonspecific initial clinical manifestations a high index of suspicion is necessary in order to initiate a prompt medical and surgical treatment when necessary to improve the outcome. Prevention strategies are needed as well as continuous microbiological surveillance of iGAS strains.
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