Turkish Archives of Pediatrics
Original Article

Clinical and Laboratory Features of Invasive Group A Streptococcal Infections: 8 Years Experience

1.

Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Health Sciences University Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, İzmir, Turkey

2.

Department of Pediatrics, Health Sciences University Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, İzmir, Turkey

3.

Department of Medical Microbiology, Health Sciences University Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, İzmir, Turkey

4.

Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, İzmir Katip Celebi University Faculty of Medicine, İzmir, Turkey

Turk Arch Pediatr 2022; 57: 75-80
DOI: 10.5152/TurkArchPediatr.2022.21221
Read: 953 Downloads: 374 Published: 01 January 2022

Objective: Invasive infections caused by group A streptococci, including bacteremia, pneumonia, sepsis, necrotizing fasciitis, streptococcal toxic shock syndrome, and focal infections, are the significant causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. This study aimed to assess the clinical and laboratory features and management of children with invasive group A streptococci infections.

Materials and Methods: A descriptive observational study was conducted on children younger than 18 years with invasive group A streptococci infection in a single center between 2012 and 2019. The clinical and laboratory features, treatment options, and patient outcomes were evaluated retrospectively.

Results: Forty-nine patients diagnosed with an invasive group A streptococci infection were analyzed. Among them, 28 (57.1%) were boys and 21 (42.9%) were girls, with a median age of 84 months (IQR: 48-150). Group A streptococci strains were found to be isolated mainly from the skin and soft tissue abscesses (60.7%). It was found that 21 (42.9%) of the cases were hospitalized, and the median duration of hospitalization was 7 (IQR: 5-11) days. It was noted that all of the cases were treated, and infection-related mortality was not observed in any patient.

Conclusions: For correct management of invasive group A streptococci infections, timely diagnosis, appropriate duration of antimicrobial therapy, and surgical intervention in selected cases are required. It is thought that examining this issue in future studies may provide clues regarding the localization, severity, management of the infection clinic, and treatment. 

Cite this article as: Şahin A, Yüksel NC, Karadağ Öncel E, Kara Aksay A, Yılmaz N, Yılmaz Çiftdoğan D. Clinical and laboratory features of invasive group A streptococcal infections: 8 years experience. Turk Arch Pediatr. 2022;57(1):75-80.

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