Journal List > Korean J Pediatr Infect Dis > v.21(2) > 1096423

Yang, Lee, Choi, Cho, Choi, Lee, and Lee: Clinical Manifestations of Invasive Infections due to Streptococcus pyogenes in Children

Abstract

Purpose

Streptococcus pyogenes is an important cause of invasive diseases in children. We aimed to describe the clinical characteristics of invasive infections due to S. pyogenes in children in Korea. Methods: A retrospective study of children under 18 years of age with invasive infections due to S. pyogenes at Seoul National University Children' s Hospital between March 1992 and December 2012, and Seoul National University Bundang Hospital between March 2003 and December 2012 was conducted. Demographic factors, clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, treatment, mortality and morbidity of all patients were reviewed. Results: A total of 30 among 36 cases identified as invasive disease due to S. pyogenes were available for review. There was a predominance for male subjects (male:female=2.75:1). The median age was 50 months (range 12 days to 15 years) and 53.3% were under 5 years of age. Skin and soft tissue infections (9/30, 30.0%), bacteremia without identified focus (4/30, 13.3%) and bone and joint infections (6/30, 20.0%) were the most frequent clinical presentations. Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (3/30, 10.0%) pulmonary, abdomen and central nervous system infections (2/30, 6.7%) were also seen. There was a peak in number of patients in year 2012 (9/30, 30.0%). There were no cases of mortality. Erythromycin and clindamycin resistance rates were low by 3.8% and 7.5%, respectively. Conclusion: We studied the clinical presentations of invasive infections due to S. pyogenes during the past 20 years in Korean children. The findings of this study help us understand the characteristics of the disease, enhancing early recognition and prompting adequate antibiotic therapy which is important in reducing morbidity and mortality.

References

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Fig. 1.
Annual distribution of invasive infections caused by Streptococcus pyogenes, 1992–2012.
kjpid-21-129f1.tif
Table 1.
Clinical Presentation of 30 Patients with In-vasive Infection Caused by Streptococcus pyogenes,1992–2012
Clinical symptom and sign No. of patients (%)
Fever 29 (96.6)
Exanthema 18 (60)
Respiratory symptoms 13 (43.3)
(cough, rhinorrhea, respiratory distress)  
Soft tissue inflammation 9 (30)
(swelling, erythema, tenderness)  
Vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea 7 (23.3)
Sore throat 6 (20)
Sensorium alteration 6 (20)
(somnolence, irritability)  
Arthralgia 6 (20)
Skin wound 3 (10)

Skin wound includes cutaneous wounds or minor traumas.

Table 2.
Clinical Diagnosis of 30 Episodes of Invasive Infection Caused by Streptococcus pyogenes, 1992–2012
Diagnosis No. of patients (%)
Bacteremia without focus 4 (13.3)
Skin and soft tissue infection 9 (30.0)
Cellulitis 3
Omphalitis 2
Myositis 1
Deep neck infection 1
Lymphadenitis 1
Lymphangioma infection 1
Osteoarticular infection 6 (20.0)
Septic arthritis 5
Osteomyelitis 3
Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome 3 (10.0)
Pulmonary infection 2 (6.7)
Pneumonia 2
Abdomen infection 2 (6.7)
Peritonitis 1
Cholangitis 1
Central nervous system infection 2 (6.7)
Meningitis 1
Subdural empyema 1
Infective endocarditis 2 (6.7)
Total 30 (100)

Cases were defined as when Streptococcus pyogenes was isolated from a normally sterile site or specimen, including blood, ascites, joint aspiration, cerebrospinal fluid or operation specimens.

1 patient was diagnosed as bacteremia and scarlet fever.

2 patients were diagnosed as cellulitis, pneumonia.

2 patients were diagnosed as septic arthritis and osteomyelitis.

1 patient had septic arthritis and scarlet fever.

Table 3.
Clinical Characteristics of 30 Episodes of Invasive Infection Caused by Streptococcus pyogenes, 1992–2012
Characteristics n (%) or median [range] SSTI Osteoarticular infection Bacteremia Without focus STSS Pulmonary infection CNS infection Abdomen infection Infective endocarditis
Demographics                
N (overall %) 9 (30) 6 (20) 4 (13.3) 3(10) 2 (6.6) 2 (6.6) 2 (6.6) 2 (6.6)
Age 4.7 6.9 3.7 4.4 3.4 14.3 9.5 4.4
Sex(M/F) 5/4 5/1 3/1 3/0 1/1 2/0 2/0 1/1
Underlying condition N (% within group)                
Underlying disease 2 (22.2) 0 (0) 3 (75) 1 (33.3) 1 (50) 0 (0) 2 (100) 1 (50)
Varicella infection 0 (0) 0 (0) 1 (25) 1 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0)
Cutaneous wound 3 (33.3) 0 (0) 0 (0) 1 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0)
Minor trauma 1 (11.1) 1 (16.6) 0 (0) 0 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0)
Treatment Duration of 17.4 32.8 11.5 29.3 11 40.5 29 36
antibiotics (days) [9–30] [17–45] [10–15] [21–34] [6–16] [25–56] [22–36] [30–42]
Duration of IV 12.5 20.5 5.2 27 6 30 29 36
antibiotics (days) [4–21] [14–29] [1–10] [21–33]   [18–42] [22–36] [30–42]
Surgery 2 6 0 2 0 1 0 1
Mechanical ventilation 1 0 0 3 1 1 0 0
Immunoglobulin 0 0 1 2 0 1 0 0
Outcome Duration of 2.6 5 6.5 22 3.5 8.5 3.5 9.5
fever (days) [0–9] [2–10] [4–12] [12–35] [2–5] [5–12] [2–5] [2–17]
ICU care 1 0 0 3 1 1 0 1
Duration of 6 0 0 23.6 6 3 0 15
ICU stay (days)       [10–31]        
Hospitalization 12.6 18.6 8 61.6 6.5 31 30.5 38.5
(days) [5–17] [5–31] [2–11] [34–104]   [19–43] [22–39] [31–46]
Sequelae 0 0 0 2 1 2 0 0
Death 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Abbreviation: SSTI, skin and soft tissue infection; STSS, streptococcal toxic shock syndrome; CNS, central nervous system.∗Cases were defined as when Streptococcus pyogenes was isolated from a normally sterile site or specimen, including blood, ascites, joint aspiration, cerebrospinal fluid or operation specimens.

1 patient had amputation of 3 distal phalanx and 3 toes and 1 patient was on rehabilitation due to muscle weakness.

1 patient was transferred to another hospital.

1 patient showed status epilepticus and was treated on antiepileptic drugs, 1 patient had a cranioplasty and skull defects.

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