Serious cases are accelerating and the main reasons have been revealed

Latest data update on bacterial health Streptococcus pyogenes As of November 6 last year, there have been 487 cases and 78 deaths so far in 2023. This Sunday, the Ministry of Health released new data with a deadline of November 18.they showed a curve acceleration: They have added up 643 confirmed cases, 93 deaths.

In other words, in just 12 days 156 new cases, 15 fatal.This usually results in Pharyngitis or scarlet feverbut when it takes a pattern invasive Can cause severe symptoms and has been observed to have High case fatality rateat this time it reaches 14.4%.

The cumulative number of cases this year is the highest since 2018, according to historical data reported by the government.That year they registered 104 cases. In 2019, there were 60 cases. During the 2020-21 pandemic biennium, there were only 11 cases per year.Then, 91 were registered in 2022, which means now that increased by 518% That’s higher than the highest annual value reported to date, even though there’s still more than a month until the end of the year to consolidate that figure.

“Case Curve start to rise From the end of 2022 to the whole year of 2023, it is higher than in previous years.From week 20 (May 14-20) to week 39 (September 24-30) of 2023, the number of weekly cases will be between 10 and 24

.Starting from week 40 (October 1 to 7), the curve shows a continuous increase until week 44, when the highest numbers recorded so far are observed, in which 48 cases”, analyzed the official report.

From the age distribution point of view, 48.7% Among confirmed cases in 2023 Under 16 years old, 29% of people are over 50 years old, and the average age is 17 years old. However, cases have been reported in all age groups. Regarding the death toll, 36.6% Those under 16 years old accounted for 46.2%, and those over 50 years old averaged 41 years old.

2% of cases this year were recorded as “Bacterial acute respiratory infection”10% were “meningoencephalitis” and 87% were “other invasive infections”.

Information on clinical manifestations was recorded in 60% of total cases and 82% of deaths.The most frequently recorded (in descending order) among the total number of cases analyzed were Sepsis, cellulitis, pneumonia, abscess, strep toxic shock syndrome; Sepsis, septic shock, streptococcal toxic shock syndrome, necrotizing fasciitis, and cellulitis were observed in a subgroup of fatal cases.

this Major causes of invasive disease Does the antecedent of Skin lesions (53 cases) and history of trauma (41 cases). Then, in order of onset, there was a history of surgery (20 cases), followed by a history of burns (3 cases), eczema (3 cases), chickenpox (2 cases) and influenza (1 case).

“Streptococcus pyogenes commonly colonizes the oropharynx and skin surfaces. It is transmitted Between people through close contactGuadalupe Pérez, clinical head of the Epidemiology and Infectology Service at Garahan Hospital, explains: This occurred during a recent review of the data available at the health center.

The highest incidence rate is in the central region of the country, although in absolute terms the highest number of invasive cases is in the central region of the country, with 379 of the 643 cases. cuyo region

with 3.34 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, followed by South area3.2 per 100,000 people.

from Genome sequencing It was determined that this bacterium adopts more aggressive behavior This year. “The emergence of new variants with more features Virulence factors “This is important given the increasing number of cases of invasive infections caused by Streptococcus pyogenes,” the Ministry of Health report said.

In 2023, genomic analysis enables detection of Clone M1-UK Recently, there was another case related to cloning M1-DK. The report details these sublineages, adding: “These sublineages have been described in the UK and Denmark respectively and have replaced the global M1 clones prevalent in these countries.” Highly virulent subline The M1 clone has not replaced the global M1 clone, which is still popular in our country. “

Analía Rearte, director of epidemiology at the Ministry of Health, participated in the Garrahan meeting and presented the epidemiological curve of invasive infection cases, while assessing Link between respiratory virus transmission and chickenpox cases in our country. “We don’t see clear relationships, but they are hypothesis We will continue to analyze,” he said.

Lucía Cipolla, member of the Special Bacteriology Service of ANLIS Malbrán, emphasized in her presentation the importance of informing and molecular studies of circulating clones. “Epidemiological surveillance allows us to identify septic changes Continuously evolve and disease,” he stressed.

The Department of Health says that when experiencing some of these symptoms it is important to “ Early consultation Diagnose promptly and avoid self-administering antibiotics. “

• symptom pharyngitis They are: severe sore throat, fever, headache, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, redness of the throat and tonsils, bad breath, swollen lymph nodes in the neck.

• most common symptoms scarlet fever: Redness, sore throat, fever (38.3°C or higher), red rash with a sandpaper texture, dark red skin in the folds of the armpits, elbows, and groin, white moss on the tongue or base of the throat, “raspberry” Tongue, headache, nausea or vomiting, swollen glands, muscle pain.

• In all cases, the patient must avoid crowding Go to public places (work, school, social gatherings) and limit contact with people you live with.

• Keep updating Vaccination schedule Protect against influenza and chickenpox at the time people should be vaccinated. Do not self-medicate or promote self-medication.

• Where medical indication for treatment is received antibioticcomplete the protocol (do not shorten or abandon treatment).

• Wash your hands often and don’t share personal items such as cutlery, glasses and towels.

• Keep the room properly and regularly ventilated.