Streptococcus pyogenes, why the bacteria that cause pharyngitis are now causing more severe symptoms

Some people get bacterial infections Group A Streptococcus anyone Streptococcus pyogenes They may only experience a sore throat: pharyngitis.Others can also add Rash, this is a picture of scarlet fever. But there is another group of people who suffer from complications of a disease because they share the same pathogen. Invasive infection that can lead to death.

bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes The outbreak has attracted the attention of doctors and public health authorities Since the second half of last year, Europe and North America have produced South American countries. Sharing by experts in molecular biology and infectious diseases from various countries database What are the different factors that have contributed to the increase in cases over the past two years? What are the assumptions?

After an alert is issued World Health Organization and pan american health organization In December last year, Argentina’s health authorities decided to classify new cases as mandatory notification in health centers and hospitals and Enhanced monitoring protocols.

inside Argentina, 75 cases of invasive infections with this pathogen were reported in 2022. This year, 487 cases of invasive infection reported nationwide, half girls and half boys.A further 78 deaths were reported Ministry of Health last Monday. In October, a scarlet fever outbreak broke out at a school in Santa Fe, with a total of five cases.

exist Uruguay Outbreaks caused by the same pathogen have also occurred. As of December 19, 2022, 21 cases have been reported, including 8 deaths. In October last year, the country’s Ministry of Public Health reported a cluster outbreak at a school in Montevideo.three people were affected, including a 5-year-old child who died.

This is an advancement of a pathogen that is now more surprising and harmful because of the lives it takes, but there is scientific evidence that Even before the coronavirus pandemic, its incidence was increasingand there is currently no specific vaccine against this infection.

“The increase in cases in Argentina and Uruguay is also occurring in other countries such as the UK or Australia,” he told reporters. database Infectious disease researcher Mark Walkerfrom the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.

Professor Walker and his team warned the world in October 2020 through a study in the journal nature communications.They found a variety of bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes They acquire “superantigen” toxins and form new clones. They warn that these toxins enable the pathogen to better colonize its host, the human organism.

In February last year, the scientist reported that he had discovered a variant called “M1UK” in his home country of Australia, which had previously been found in the United Kingdom and Asian countries. Subsequently, as Infobae reported in August, researchers at Argentina’s ANLIS/Malbrán Institute discovered three isolates from M1UK patient samples. It is a rapidly expanding clone and is considered a new lineage of the pandemic strain M1T1 (M1global).

Also in ANLIS/Malbrán, there was a group of 7 isolates Streptococcus pyogenes M1 Genetics are closely related. As experts clarified in the epidemiological bulletin of the Ministry of Health, the organization obtained “a mobile genetic element encoding the superantigenic toxin SpeC.” Based on these findings, A possible relationship between the emerging clone and an increase in cases in 2023 is being investigated.

Like the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, the bacteria can be spread through an infected person’s cough or sneeze. but, Why will its incidence increase even more in 2022 and 2023?

“The cause of the increase has not yet been determined. But we may suspect several factors. One of them is a new variant of bacteria” Walker replied. Lockdowns and social distancing reduced immunity between 2020 and 2021. Researchers said that after people became infected with COVID-19, viral infections increased and immunity changed.

From an Argentinian doctor’s perspective Roberto DeBargeformer president Latin American Society for Pediatric Infection,besides Increased infections with different pathogens – including respiratory syncytial virus, influenza, meningococci and Streptococcus pyogenes– After the COVID-19 emergency.

“Countries in South America affected by the epidemic Streptococcus They are Uruguay and Argentina, which are also linked to new lineages of bacteria that are circulating in the world that produce more aggressive infections. ” database. He believes that changes in some people’s immunity favor the chance of acquiring different infections.

inside Argentinaaccording to Health Portfolio, 38.5% of those who died were under 16 years old. While the infection can be treated with antibiotics, “symptoms evolve so quickly that some patients do not have time to control the infection. Therefore, it is critical to recognize symptoms (such as fever and skin lesions) and seek medical attention promptly.”

although, Analia de CristofanoDirector of the Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at the Italian Hospital of Buenos Aires and Coordinator of the Italian Pediatric Council Argentine Society of Infectious Diseases (SADI)Comments say the introduction of new lineages is an important factor in the increase in cases this year. “It affects not only children but adults as well. Of the 78 deaths reported in Argentina, adults had comorbidities. “

Experts emphasize that antibiotics can attack bacteria, but for this, adults must also consult a doctor promptly. “If they develop a sore throat, fever or rash, they must consult a doctor and not self-medicate,” De Cristofano emphasized.

Symptomatic patients can use jaw swabs to test whether they actually have the virus Streptococcus pyogenes and avoid unnecessary use of medications.he suggested Close contacts with pathogens do not have to undergo swabs or preventive medication.

“Due to cases of invasive infections Streptococcus pyogenes In Argentina, this is part of a global phenomenon of rising infections. There has been an increase in infections that are preventable by vaccines, as well as other infections that have not yet been prevented, such as strep,” he said. Florence Kahn,President Argentine Society of Vaccinology and Epidemiology (SAVE). “The key is timely diagnosis, early treatment and adequate monitoring of the pathogen,” he stressed.