title: Invasive group A streptococcal infection and vaccine implications, Auckland, New Zealand.
abstract: We aimed to assess the effect of invasive group A streptococcal (GAS) infection and the potential effects of a multivalent GAS vaccine in New Zealand. During January 2005-December 2006, we conducted prospective population-based laboratory surveillance of Auckland residents admitted to all public hospitals with isolation of GAS from normally sterile sites. Using emm typing, we identified 225 persons with confirmed invasive GAS infection (median 53 years of age; range 0-97 years). Overall incidence was 8.1 cases per 100,00 persons per year (20.4/100,000/year for Maori and Pacific Islanders; 24.4/100,000/year for persons >65 years of age; 33/100,000/year for infants <1 year of age). Nearly half (49%) of all cases occurred in Auckland's lowest socioeconomic quintile. Twenty-two persons died, for an overall case-fatality rate of 10% (63% for toxic shock syndrome). Seventy-four percent of patients who died had an underlying condition. To the population in our study, the proposed 26-valent vaccine would provide limited benefit.
authors.affiliation: Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Atheer
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Safar
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lennon
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Trenholme
authors.forename: Dragana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Drinkovic
authors.forename: Briar
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Peat
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Kerry
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Read
authors.forename: Sally
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: Lesley
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Voss
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000401:mortality; D022541:Streptococcal Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D022541:Streptococcal Vaccines