title: A case of necrotizing fasciitis due to Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 5 in Saskatchewan.
abstract: Necrotizing fasciitis due to Streptococcus pneumoniae is a rare and grave condition, and only a few cases have been reported. Suggested risk factors include minor trauma, systemic lupus erythematosus, immunosuppression secondary to medication, use of intramuscular anti-inflammatories and alcoholism. A fatal case of pneumococcal necrotizing fasciitis that occurred in a 51-year-old woman with a history of alcohol abuse and oral anti-inflammatory use is presented. Her condition was caused by a multi-etiology outbreak of community-acquired pneumonia, from which S pneumoniae serotype 5 was also isolated. The case description outlines the subtle presentation and rapid clinical progression of this condition. Because serotype 5 antigen is included in the polysaccharide 23-valent pneumococcal vaccine, the present case highlights the importance of pneumococcal immunization programs in Canada.
authors.affiliation: Canadian Field Epidemiology Program, Public Health Agency of Canada, Vancouver, British Columbia.
authors.forename: Meenakshi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dawar
authors.forename: Bob
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Russell
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: McClean
authors.forename: Paul N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Levett
authors.forename: Gregory J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Tyrrell
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Irvine