Severe Invasive Group A Streptococcal Infections In Ontario, Canada: 1987-1991

Abstract

During the past few years, there has been an apparent increase in serious infections due to group A streptococci (GAS) worldwide. We describe our experience with severe invasive GAS infections in Ontario, Canada, during the past 5 years (February 1987 through December 1991). A case was defined as the isolation of GAS from blood or normally sterile tissue in association with hypotension (systolic blood pressure, speA gene, and 16 isolates had the speC gene. Only three isolates possessed both speA and speC. All isolates possessed the speB gene.