Molecular epidemiology of invasive Group A streptococcal infections before and after the COVID-19 pandemic in Switzerland

• DOI: 10.1016/j.cmicom.2024.100004
• Publication Date: 2024-05-23T07:46:50Z
• Authors: Angeliki M. Andri...; Federica Andreoni; Jessica Franz; Judith Bergada-Pi...; Thomas C. Scheier; Tanja Duwe; Marc Pfister; Ekaterina Vostokova; Helena Seth-Smith; Tim Roloff; Natalia Kolesnik-...; Sara H. Burkhard; Alexia Cusini; Urs Karrer; Christian Rüegg; Adrian Schibli; Jacques Schrenzel; Stefano Musumeci; Roger D. Kouyos; Adrian Egli; Silvio D. Brugger; Annelies S. Zinke...
• Keywords: Pandemic; Molecular Epidemiology; 2019-20 coronavirus outbreak; Group A; STREPTOCOCCAL INFECTIONS

Group A Streptococcus (GAS, aka pyogenes) poses a significant public health concern, causing diverse spectrum of infections with high mortality rates. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, resurgence invasive GAS (iGAS) has been documented, necessitating efficient outbreak detection methods. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) serves as gold standard for molecular typing, albeit constrained by time and costs. This study aimed to characterize post-pandemic increased prevalence iGAS on epidemiological level in order assess whether new, more virulent variants have emerged. total 66 strains isolated from nine Swiss hospitals during were evaluated compared 15 collected before 12 pandemic. FT-IR measurements WGS conducted network analysis. Demographic, clinical, data collected. Skin soft tissue infection was most common diagnosis, followed primary bacteremia pneumonia. Viral co-infections found 25% cases significantly associated severe disease requiring intensive care unit admission. analysis did not reveal emerging genetic distinct after indicating absence pandemic-induced shift. spectroscopy exhibited limitations differentiating genetically distant strains, yielding poor overlap WGS-derived clusters. The emm1/ST28 genotype predominant our cohort five seven deaths recorded, accordance Additionally, no notable shift antibiotic susceptibility patterns observed. Our suggest that mainly non-pathogen related factors contributed recent iGAS.