Outbreak of group A Streptococcus emm94.0 affecting people who inject drugs in southwest England, April 2017

Rachel M Kwiatkowska; Petra Manley; Ben Sims; Theresa Lamagni; Derren Ready; Juliana Coelho; Layth Alsaffar; Charles R Beck; Fiona Neely; Outbreak Control Team

doi:10.1016/j.ajic.2017.08.011

Outbreak of group A Streptococcus emm94.0 affecting people who inject drugs in southwest England, April 2017

Am J Infect Control. 2018 Feb;46(2):238-240. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2017.08.011. Epub 2017 Oct 12.

Authors

Rachel M Kwiatkowska¹, Petra Manley², Ben Sims³, Theresa Lamagni⁴, Derren Ready⁵, Juliana Coelho⁵, Layth Alsaffar⁶, Charles R Beck², Fiona Neely³; Outbreak Control Team

Affiliations

¹ Field Epidemiology Service, National Infection Service, Public Health England, Bristol, United Kingdom. Electronic address: [email protected].
² Field Epidemiology Service, National Infection Service, Public Health England, Bristol, United Kingdom.
³ Public Health England South West (South) Centre, Public Health England, Totnes, United Kingdom.
⁴ Healthcare-Associated Infection & Antimicrobial Resistance Department, National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, United Kingdom.
⁵ Respiratory and Vaccine Preventable Bacteria Reference Unit, National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, United Kingdom.
⁶ Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom.

PMID: 29031429
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2017.08.011

Abstract

We report an outbreak of invasive and noninvasive group A Streptococcus during April 2017 among people who inject drugs in southwest England. To date we have identified 14 cases linked to a specific town, all confirmed as group A Streptococcus emm94.0, a strain type not previously reported in the area. We have yet to identify a source for this ongoing outbreak. Actions described here may help reduce the burden of infection in vulnerable populations.

Keywords: Disease notification; Intravenous/epidemiology; Streptococcal infection; Substance abuse; Vulnerable populations.

MeSH terms

Adult
Data Collection
Disease Outbreaks*
England / epidemiology
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Risk Factors
Streptococcal Infections / epidemiology*
Streptococcal Infections / microbiology*
Streptococcus pyogenes / genetics*
Streptococcus pyogenes / isolation & purification*
Substance Abuse, Intravenous / complications*
Substance Abuse, Intravenous / epidemiology*
Surveys and Questionnaires
Young Adult