A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Presence of Streptococcus pyogenes in the throat in invasive Group A Streptococcal disease: a prospective two-year study in two health districts, Finland
Authors: Kailankangas Ville, Vilhonen Johanna, Gröndahl-Yli-Hannuksela Kirsi, Rantakokko-Jalava Kaisu, Seiskari Tapio, Auranen Kari, Lönnqvist Emilia, Virolainen Mirva, Hyyryläinen Hanne-Leena, Oksi Jarmo, Syrjänen Jaana, Vuopio Jaana
Publisher: TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD
Publication year: 2023
Journal: Infectious Diseases
Journal name in source: INFECTIOUS DISEASES
Journal acronym: INFECT DIS-NOR
Volume: 55
Issue: 6
First page : 405
Last page: 414
Number of pages: 10
ISSN: 2374-4235
eISSN: 2374-4243
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/23744235.2023.2192287
Web address : https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23744235.2023.2192287
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/179496435
Purpose:
Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Streptococcus, GAS) is an important human pathogen that can cause severe invasive (iGAS) infections. Throat carriage has been assumed to possibly lead to hematogenous seeding. Retrospective studies may estimate the incidence of throat carriage in iGAS patients inaccurately. In this study we aimed to gather data on the presence of GAS in the throat among iGAS patients in a prospective setting.
Methods:
We conducted a prospective clinical study covering iGAS infections in adult patients in two university hospitals in Finland from June 2018 to July 2020. Recruited patients' throats were swabbed for culture and isothermal amplification tests (IAT) to search for GAS. The study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov as ID NCT03507101.
Results:
We enrolled 45 patients. Throat swabs were obtained from 39/45 (87%) patients. Ten patients (22%) had a positive IAT for GAS. They were statistically significantly more likely to be male (9/10 [90%] vs 13/29 [45%], p = .024). Several different emm types caused the iGAS infections.
Conclusions:
GAS was frequently observed in throat swabs of patients with iGAS infection. This may suggest that hematogenous seeding from the nasopharynx is a possible portal of entry.
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