LIFE-THREATENING INFECTIONS BY BETA-HEMOL YSING GROUP-A STREPTOCOCCI

During the last year in 6 otherwise healthy patients (age 30-66 years) severe infections caused by group A streptococci associated with toxi c shock syndrom were observed. Sources of infections in two cases were bites of insects, in two other cases minor injuries of the skin, one times a postoperative wound infection and in another one the genitaltr act. Symptoms were fever (39 degrees C-40 degrees C), hypotension, ras h, desquamation, renal- and hepatic impairment or multiorgan failure a nd in some patients diarrhoe. Five patients needed intensive care with mechanical ventilation. From these two patients died within 48 hours. in one patient with an insect bite the amputation of the leg was unav oidable In ail cases group A streptococci were isolated from the site of infection, threetimes additionally from blood cultures and one time s from ascites. It can be assumed that a dramatic increase of severe s treptococcal infections as described in USA, Great Britain and Scandin avia must be expected in Germany, too.