The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Invasive Group A Streptococcal Infections in Children
PDF
Cite
Share
Request
Original Article
VOLUME: ISSUE:
P: -

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Invasive Group A Streptococcal Infections in Children

1. Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Ankara, Türkiye
2. Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Microbiology, Ankara, Türkiye
No information available.
No information available
Received Date: 05.11.2024
Accepted Date: 14.01.2025
Online Date: 07.03.2025
PDF
Cite
Share
Request

ABSTRACT

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic on the invasive group A Streptococcus (iGAS) infections in children. We also aimed to assess the demographic and clinical characteristics, and treatment outcomes of children with iGAS infections.

Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of the medical records for pediatric patients aged 1 month to 18 years who were diagnosed with iGAS infections and followed by a single pediatric infectious diseases department from January 2010 to December 2021. The study period was divided into two periods: the pre-pandemic period (January 2010-February 2020) and the pandemic period (March 2020-December 2021).

Results: A total of 40 patients (60% female) with a median age of 8 years (1-17 years) were included in this study. Among these, 20 had bacteremia, 13 patients had necrotizing soft tissue infection, 4 had pneumonia and empyema, 2 had septic arthritis, and 1 had acute bacterial meningitis. Two patients developed streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. In 6 patients, varicella infection, and in 4 patients, influenza infection preceded iGAS infection. The distribution of patients by year was as follows: 2 patients in 2010, 2011, and 2012; 3 in 2013; 0 in 2014; 4 in 2015; 6 in 2016 and 2017; 7 in 2018; and 8 in 2019, indicating a progressive increase in iGAS cases towards the last years of the pre-pandemic period. No cases were observed during the pandemic period. Three patients died.

Conclusion: Our study found that the number of iGAS cases progressively increased in the last years of the pre-pandemic period, while no cases were observed during the pandemic period. This may be attributed to a reduction in GAS transmission due to the preventive measures implemented during the pandemic, as well as a decrease in the incidence of infections such as influenza and varicella, which are significant risk factors for iGAS.

Keywords:
Invasive group A Streptococcal infections, COVID-19 pandemic, children