Invasive group A streptococcal infection in the Northern Territory, Australia: case report and review of the literature.

Abstract

The increasing incidence of invasive group A streptococcus has been well documented in the temperate climates of North America, Europe and the United Kingdom. Studies also suggest that there are high rates of invasive group A streptococcus infection within the indigenous population of Northern Australia. This review article presents the case of infant Aboriginal twins with invasive group A streptococcal infection complicated by streptococcal toxic shock syndrome, highlighting both the severity and high transmissibility of invasive group A streptococcal disease. We review the epidemiology of group A streptococcal infection and suggest a potential role for chemoprophylaxis of household contacts to reduce the burden of disease within the indigenous population of Northern Australia.

• Authors: Bianca Middleton, Peter Morris, Jonathan Carapetis
• Journal: Journal of paediatrics and child health (J Paediatr Child Health) Vol. 50 Issue 11 Pg. 869-73 (Nov 2014) ISSN: 1440-1754 [Electronic] Australia
• PMID: 24957474 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Review)
• Copyright: © 2014 The Authors. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health © 2014 Paediatrics and Child Health Division (Royal Australasian College of Physicians).

Chemical References

• Anti-Bacterial Agents

Topics

• Anti-Bacterial Agents (administration & dosage)
• Bacteremia (diagnosis, therapy)
• Combined Modality Therapy
• Debridement (methods)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Infant, Newborn
• Infant, Premature
• Intensive Care Units, Neonatal
• Northern Territory
• Risk Assessment
• Streptococcal Infections (diagnosis, therapy)
• Streptococcus pyogenes (isolation & purification)
• Treatment Outcome
• Twins