Epidemiological shifts in and impact of COVID-19 on streptococcal toxic shock syndrome in Japan: A genotypic analysis of group A Streptococcus isolates

• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2024.01.021
• Publication Date: 2024-02-19T16:42:44Z
• Authors: Tadayoshi Ikebe; Rumi Okuno; Yumi Uchitani; Takahiro Yamaguchi; Junko Isobe; Emi Maenishi; Yoshimi Date; Hitoshi Otsuka; Yu Kazawa; Shohei Fujita; Ayaka Kobayashi; Mami Takano; Shinya Tsukamoto; Yoshiko Kanda; Makoto Ohnishi; Yukihiro Akeda
• Keywords: Group A; Toxic shock syndrome; STREPTOCOCCAL INFECTIONS

ObjectivesStreptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) is caused by group A Streptococcus (GAS; pyogenes) strains. In Japan, the number of STSS cases has decreased; however, underlying reason remains unclear. Moreover, information on distribution and prevalence specific emm types in scarce. Hence, we investigated for decreased Japan.MethodsWe genotyped 526 GAS isolates obtained from patients with between 2019 2022. The distributions each year were compared.ResultsThe emm1 type was predominant, highest proportion 2019, which after 2020 following onset coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Strains isolated during pandemic correlated strains associated skin infection, whereas those pre-pandemic period both throat infections. decrease annual COVID-19 could be due to a pharyngeal infections.ConclusionsPotential associations numbers respect public health measures, such as wearing masks changes healthcare-seeking behavior, may have affected GAS-induced