THE RETURN OF LIFE-THREATENING PUERPERAL SEPSIS CAUSED BY GROUP-A STREPTOCOCCI

A dramatic decline in the prevalence of serious puerperal infection ca used by group A beta-hemolytic streptococci has been observed througho ut most of the twentieth century, and it is currently a very uncommon cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. We report on two term pregn ancies complicated by profound multisystem organ failure caused by gro up A streptococcal puerperal sepsis. This report serves to highlight t he apparent return of serious group A streptococcal puerperal sepsis a nd to emphasize the clinical implications and sequelae attributable to an old yet virulent enemy.