Invasive Group A Streptococcal Infection and Vaccine Implications, Auckland, New Zealand

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 identifi ed 225 persons with confi rmed 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 Pacifi c 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 benefi t. D uring the 2 decades since recognition of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS), there have been many publications on invasive group A streptococcal (GAS) infections, some population-based (1-4). The spectrum of infection caused by Streptococcus pyogenes varies widely from invasive disease, such as bacteremia, sepsis, necrotizing fasciitis (NF), and STSS, to noninvasive infection, most commonly pharyngitis with suppurative complications, such as otitis media, and nonsuppurative complications, such as acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and acute glomerulonephritis (APSGN).