Group A streptococcal bacteraemias in Denmark 1987-89.
A retrospective study of laboratory-verified cases of Group A Streptococcal bacteraemias in Denmark was conducted for the period 1987-1989 after a sudden increase occurred during the winter 1988-1989. The aim of the study was to describe the epidemiology in the period and to compare cases during the outbreak period with cases in a period with a baseline risk. Based on isolates, a total of 242 cases in 240 patients were included in the study and information on previous health of the patients, source of infection (community-acquired or nosocomial) and outcome were obtained from hospital records. During the epidemic period the total incidence increased three-fold. The frequency of type 1 increased from 1 in 5 to 1 in 2. The number of previously healthy individuals falling ill with type 1 increased 25-fold. The relative increase was higher among patients with community-acquired infection than among patients with nosocomial infection. The lethality rate was 48% during the epidemic in which 38% of the cases occurred. As early diagnosis and treatment are the two most important measures to prevent serious outcome, effectiveness and timeliness of surveillance systems are of extreme importance.
Department of Epidemiology, Statens Seruminstitut, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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D016470:Bacteremia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes; D013997:Time Factors