It is a strain of Streptococcus pyogenes associated with invasive disease that has caused an unusual number of cases and deaths in recent months.
over a month ago horn Unusual outbreak caused by bacteria reported Streptococcus pyogenesuntil then leading to the year 118 confirmed cases, 17 deaths. The Ministry of Health did not update these figures, but now reports a piece of information that helps to understand the phenomenon: highly virulent clone closely related to increased aggressiveness disease.
Based on genomic surveillance conducted in Argentina, the Marbrand Institute has identified three conditions Corresponds to “highly virulent clones” M1 UK“, who has ever Rapid development In other countries, this has been associated with increased cases of scarlet fever and invasive infections.
According to the latest National Epidemiological Bulletin (BEN), these three isolates represent 8% (3 of 36 cases) are cases isolated and admitted in Malbrán between early 2022 and mid-2023.
The history of this highly virulent clone dates back to the 2015-2016 season, when there was a significant increase in reported cases in the UK Scarlet fever and invasive infections For this streptococcus. “Both clinical pictures are associated with the emergence of the M1UK clone, and it corresponds to a new lineage of the M1T1 strain,” BEN said.
“The rapid spread of this new clone has resulted in a seasonal increase in scarlet fever and a marked increase in invasive infections,” he added. So far, United States, Canada, Netherlands, Denmark and Australia reported the emergence of this virulent clone, which is replacing the hitherto ubiquitous clone.
The Ministry of Health report, signed by Lucía Cipolla, A. Gianecini and Mónica Prieto of the Department of Bacteriology in Marbrand, stated that due to the discovery of the highly virulent M1UK clone and seven cases of another subline of the M1 pharyngeal colonization), “recommended Sustain and enhance genomic surveillance To determine its expansion and prevalence, as well as the epidemiological surveillance of Streptococcus pyogenes”.
It also explains that “all contact person Cases of invasive Streptococcus pyogenes disease should be informed about the precautions and the signs and symptoms of the disease”. And recommend Close contacts Seek immediate medical attention at the first sign of symptoms (fever, sore throat, localized muscle pain, or any other sign of a S. pyogenes infection).
Streptococcus pyogenes, also known as group A strep, is Most Common Bacterial Causes Acute pharyngitis. It often causes different skin infections such as impetigo, cellulitis, and scarlet fever. “However, at times, this may lead to Invasive diseasepotentially fatal, such as necrotizing fasciitis, streptococcal toxic shock syndrome and other serious infections, as well as post-immune diseases,” the Ministry of Health explained.
people can be asymptomatic carrier. Spread through direct contact with wounds of an infected person or through droplets expelled by coughing, sneezing or talking.The incubation period of the disease varies according to the clinical presentation, between 1 to 3 days.
As BEN describes, “Pharyngitis is diagnosed by culture and antibiotic.The treatment of choice is penicillin. Its clinical efficacy is based on the excellent susceptibility of all pathogenic strains to this antibiotic.Appropriate antibiotic therapy after the first 24 hours Eliminate the ability to spread, allowing normal activity to resume. Hand hygiene and personal hygiene can help control transmission. “
As of last reported figures, the number of cases of invasive disease registered in 2023 accounted for increased by 57% That’s 75 cases for all of 2022, compared to the highest number reported so far. During the epidemic, the number of severe cases decreased, reaching 55 in 2019.