1
|
Di Pietro GM, Marchisio P, Bosi P, Castellazzi ML, Lemieux P. Group A Streptococcal Infections in Pediatric Age: Updates about a Re-Emerging Pathogen. Pathogens 2024; 13:350. [PMID: 38787202 PMCID: PMC11124454 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13050350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Group A Streptococcus (GAS) presents a significant global health burden due to its diverse clinical manifestations ranging from mild infections to life-threatening invasive diseases. While historically stable, the incidence of GAS infections declined during the COVID-19 pandemic but resurged following the relaxation of preventive measures. Despite general responsiveness to β-lactam antibiotics, there remains an urgent need for a GAS vaccine due to its substantial global disease burden, particularly in low-resource settings. Vaccine development faces numerous challenges, including the extensive strain diversity, the lack of suitable animal models for testing, potential autoimmune complications, and the need for global distribution, while addressing socioeconomic disparities in vaccine access. Several vaccine candidates are in various stages of development, offering hope for effective prevention strategies in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giada Maria Di Pietro
- Pediatric Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Marchisio
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20122 Milan, Italy (P.L.)
| | - Pietro Bosi
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20122 Milan, Italy (P.L.)
| | - Massimo Luca Castellazzi
- Pediatric Emergency Department, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy;
| | - Paul Lemieux
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20122 Milan, Italy (P.L.)
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hung TY, Phuong LK, Grobler A, Tong SYC, Freeth P, Pelenda A, Gibney KB, Steer AC. Antibiotics to eradicate Streptococcus pyogenes pharyngeal carriage in asymptomatic children and adults: A systematic review. J Infect 2024; 88:106104. [PMID: 38360357 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2024.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Streptococcus pyogenes (S. pyogenes) is a Gram-positive bacteria which causes a spectrum of diseases ranging from asymptomatic infection to life-threatening sepsis. Studies report up to 2000 times greater risk of invasive S. pyogenes disease in close contacts of index cases within 30-days of symptom onset. Despite this, there is variability in the management of asymptomatic carriage of S. pyogenes and those at risk of secondary cases of invasive S. pyogenes infection. OBJECTIVE Our systematic review assessed the efficacy of different antibiotic regimens used for eradication of S. pyogenes from the pharynx in asymptomatic individuals. METHODS We searched Pubmed, EMBASE (1974-), OVID Medline (1948-) and the Cochrane CENTRAL registry. We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) with asymptomatic participants with >50% with pharyngeal cultures positive with S. pyogenes at baseline. Only studies with microbiological methods including culture (+/- polymerase chain reaction, PCR) were included. We included studies published in English. Each included study was assessed by two independent reviewers for data extraction and risk of bias. RESULTS Of 1166 unique records identified, three RCTs were included in the review. Two of the three included RCTs found oral clindamycin for 10-days was the most efficacious regimen, compared to intramuscular benzathine penicillin G followed by 4 days of oral rifampicin, or monotherapy using benzathine penicillin, phenoxymethylpenicillin or erythromycin. Two RCTs were assessed as being at high risk of bias, with the third study demonstrating low/some risk of bias. CONCLUSIONS Current available evidence for the optimal antibiotic in eradicating pharyngeal S. pyogenes carriage is limited. Future RCTs should include penicillin, first-generation cephalosporins, rifampicin, macrolides (such as azithromycin) and clindamycin.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Te-Yu Hung
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Service, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, Royal Darwin Hospital, Top End Health Service, Northern Territory, Australia.
| | - Linny K Phuong
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of General Medicine, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Tropical Diseases, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Anneke Grobler
- Tropical Diseases, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Steven Y C Tong
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Service, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Pippin Freeth
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of General Medicine, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Asika Pelenda
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of General Medicine, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Katherine B Gibney
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Service, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Andrew C Steer
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of General Medicine, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Tropical Diseases, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Alberio AMQ, Biagini Y, Di Gangi A, Pagnini I, Simonini G, Peroni D, Consolini R. Revising the value of Antistreptolysin O titre in childhood and its interpretation in the diagnostic approach of rheumatic diseases. Eur J Pediatr 2024; 183:835-842. [PMID: 38038770 DOI: 10.1007/s00431-023-05269-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
The burden of group A streptococcus (GAS) infection and its rheumatic sequelae remains dramatically high, especially in low-income countries. Recently, an increased number of Acute Rheumatic Fever (ARF) cases was documented in many regions of Italy. The diagnosis of rheumatic sequelae relies on clinical signs and on the evaluation of the Antistreptolysin O titre (ASO), whose variations are globally reported. To re-examine the standard reference value of ASO titre, by measuring either its upper limit of normal (ULN) in a population of healthy children (HC) or comparing these values with streptococcal antibodies registered in a cohort of patients affected by the rheumatic sequelae of GAS infection. We performed a multicenter retrospective study. We enrolled 125 HC, aged 2-17 years, and a total of 181 patients affected by ARF, acute streptococcal pharyngitis, post-streptococcal arthritis, Henoch-Schönlein purpura and erythema nodosum, divided into four groups. The levels of ASO and anti-deoxyribonuclease B (anti-DNase B) titres were analyzed and compared among the various groups. Moreover, the 80th percentile value was calculated and established as the ULN for ASO titre in HC group. The ULN for ASO titre in overall HC group was 515 IU/mL, resulting in higher than used in the routine investigation. The ASO titre was significantly higher in patients with rheumatic sequelae compared with HC group, with a peak in the age between 5 and 15 years. Conclusion: Our study established a new ULN normal value of streptococcal serology in a childhood and adolescent population of Italy, suggesting the need to extend this revaluation to the critical areas, in order to avoid underestimating ARF diagnosis. The correct interpretation of ASO and anti-DNase B values in the context of rheumatic diseases has been discussed. What is Known: • The global burden of disease caused by group A streptococcus is not known and remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Acute rheumatic fever continues to be a serious worldwide public health problem and a recent recurrence of group A streptococcus infection cases is observed. • The streptococcal sequelae requires evidence of preceding streptococcal infection, commonly elevated streptococcal antibody titre, but the upper limit for these titres varies considerably based on age group, region, and origin. What is New: • This study provides population-specific values for streptococcal antibody titres in Italy. • Interpret the results of group A streptococcal antibody tests within the clinical context.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Ylenia Biagini
- Pediatrics Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessandro Di Gangi
- Pediatrics Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Ilaria Pagnini
- Rheumatology Unit, Meyer Children's Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Gabriele Simonini
- Rheumatology Unit, Meyer Children's Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Diego Peroni
- Pediatrics Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Rita Consolini
- Section of Clinical and Laboratory Immunology, Pediatrics Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 67, Pisa, 56126, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Cravez EM, Nasreddine AY, Halim A. Persistent Streptococcus pyogenes infection of the forearm following blunt trauma. Case Reports Plast Surg Hand Surg 2020; 7:139-144. [PMID: 33354588 PMCID: PMC7738281 DOI: 10.1080/23320885.2020.1858715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Necrotizing soft tissue infections are aggressive manifestations of Streptococcus pyogenes, often described after minor skin trauma. However, a subset of infections may present without cutaneous findings. We report a case of toxic shock syndrome and recalcitrant streptococcal infection of the forearm in a healthy teenager following blunt trauma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erin M Cravez
- Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Adam Y Nasreddine
- Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Andrea Halim
- Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Kostić M, Bedeković V, Bastijančić-Kokić B, Lauc T. Unnecessary prescribing of antibiotics to healthy/asymptomatic school-age carriers of potentially pathogenic bacteria. Saudi Med J 2019; 40:405-408. [PMID: 30957137 PMCID: PMC6506651 DOI: 10.15537/smj.2019.4.24004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To re-draw attention to the unnecessary prescribing of antibiotics. METHODS We monitored nasopharyngeal colonization by 3 potentially pathogenic bacteria, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Haemophilus influenzae type b in 81 children between the ages of 6 and 7 years who attended the same primary school. The children's health status was also monitored, without using antimicrobial treatment for healthy/asymptomatic carriers. Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected on 6 occasions during autumn months, from mid-September to mid-December 2016. The children who fell ill during the study were treated at the Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic, Sisters of Mercy University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia. RESULTS Four hundred and sixty-three nasopharyngeal swabs were collected. Each child had at least one positive swab result. Bacterial colonization with Streptococcus pyogenes had the highest colonization rate. During the study, 83% of the children were healthy/asymptomatic carriers with no clinical signs of disease, while 17% became ill. The statistical results showed that the increase in all examined bacteria was statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS Our study results showed that positive bacterial findings in nasopharyngeal swabs from clinically healthy carriers were not an indication for antibiotic therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mirjana Kostić
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatian Health Insurance Fund, Zagreb, Croatia. E-mail.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|