Invasive group a streptococcal disease in nursing homes, Minnesota, 1995-2006.
Nursing home residents are at high risk for invasive group A streptococcal (GAS) disease, and clusters of cases in nursing homes are common.To characterize the epidemiologic features of invasive GAS disease in nursing homes, we conducted active, statewide, population- and laboratory-based surveillance in Minnesota from April 1995 through 2006. Of 1,858 invasive GAS disease cases, 134 (7%) occurred in nursing home residents; 34 of these cases were identified as part of 13 clusters. Recognizing cases of GAS disease in nursing homes posed challenges. Measures to ensure identification of case-patients as residents of specific nursing homes need to be included in standard guidelines for the prevention and control of invasive GAS disease in this setting.
Rainbow
Jean
J
Minnesota Department of Health, St. Paul, Minnesota 55164-0975, USA. jean.rainbow@health.state.mn.us
Jewell
Brenda
B
Danila
Richard N
RN
Boxrud
David
D
Beall
Bernard
B
Van Beneden
Chris
C
Lynfield
Ruth
R
D000368:Aged; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D006707:Homes for the Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D008910:Minnesota; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*