Increase in invasive group A streptococcal ( Streptococcus pyogenes ) infections (iGAS) in young children in the Netherlands, 2022

• Published in: Euro surveillance : bulletin européen sur les maladies transmissibles Vol. 28; no. 1; p. 1
• Main Authors: de Gier, Brechje, Marchal, Niek, de Beer-Schuurman, Ilse, Te Wierik, Margreet, Hooiveld, Mariëtte, de Melker, Hester E, van Sorge, Nina M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sweden Centre Europeen pour la Surveillance Epidemiologique du SIDA (European Centre for the Epidemiological Monitoring of AIDS) 05-01-2023
• Subjects: Adult; Chickenpox; Child; Child, Preschool; Children & youth; COVID-19; Herpes Zoster; Humans; Netherlands - epidemiology; Pandemics; Pathogens; Streptococcal Infections - diagnosis; Streptococcal Infections - epidemiology; Streptococcus infections; Streptococcus pyogenes; Viral infections; Netherlands; iGAS; Streptococcus pyogenes; varicella
• ISSN: 1560-7917; 1025-496X; 1560-7917
• DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2023.28.1.2200941

In 2022, a sevenfold increase in the number of notifiable invasive
(iGAS) infections among children aged 0-5 years was observed in the Netherlands compared with pre-COVID-19 pandemic years. Of 42 cases in this age group, seven had preceding or coinciding varicella zoster infections, nine were fatal. This increase is not attributable to a specific
type. Vigilance for clinical deterioration as iGAS sign is warranted in young children, especially those with varicella zoster infection.