Authors:
Middleton B, Morris P, Carapetis J
Authors notes:
Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health.
Keywords:
chemoprophylaxis, epidemiology, Indigenous, Streptococcal infection
Abstract:
The increasing incidence of invasive group A streptococcus has been well documented in the temperate climates of North America, Europe and the United Kingdom.
Studies also suggest that there are high rates of invasive group A streptococcus infection within the indigenous population of Northern Australia.
This review article presents the case of infant Aboriginal twins with invasive group A streptococcal infection complicated by streptococcal toxic shock syndrome, highlighting both the severity and high transmissibility of invasive group A streptococcal disease.
We review the epidemiology of group A streptococcal infection and suggest a potential role for chemoprophylaxis of household contacts to reduce the burden of disease within the indigenous population of Northern Australia.