What is causing the increase in infections and how can we protect ourselves? Rising TSS as currently seen in Japan is not unique. Non-seasonal clusters of TSS have also been reported in the UK, Australia, and the Netherlands over the past three years. During the 2022/2023 winter season, an unusual increase in group A streptococcal infections was observed in Germany. This trend continued in the fourth quarter of 2023, with both non-invasive and invasive cases recorded. At the beginning of 2024, non-invasive cases decreased to the level of the previous year, while invasive cases remained elevated [3-6]. The reasons for this appear to be many and probably include the contact restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting lower immunity to S. pyogenes [3, 5]. Decreased hand hygiene after the pandemic, increased virulence of certain bacterial strains and increased circulation of viral respiratory pathogens, which may pave the way for secondary bacterial infections, may also play a role [3, 5]. As streptococci are mainly transmitted by direct or indirect contact with contaminated persons or surfaces, good hand and surface hygiene with bactericidal products (https://www.bodechemie.com/en/products/products-by-microbiological-activity/productswith-bactericidal-activity) can reduce the risk of infection. What is it all about and what preventive measures can be taken? Streptococcal infections on the rise in Japan References 1. Atchade E et al. (2024: Antibiotics (Basel) 13: 96. https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics13010096 2. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/mar/15/japan-streptococcal-infections-rise-details (accessed on 25.03.2024) 3. Abo YN et al. (2023): Lancet Reg Health West Pac 41: 100873. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanwpc.2023.100873 4. Wrenn K et al. (2023): Lancet 402 Suppl 1: S93. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(23)02095-0 5. van Kempen EB et al. (2023): Pediatr Infect Dis J 42: e122-e124. https://doi.org/10.1097/inf.0000000000003810 6. Robert Koch-Institut (RKI). Epidemiologisches Bulletin 12/2024. https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/Infekt/EpidBull/Archiv/2024/Ausgaben/12_24.pdf?__ blob=publicationFile (accessed on 25.03.2024) You can find out more about this topic on the HARTMANN SCIENCE CENTER website at the following link: www.hartmann-science-center.com/en/ hygiene-knowledge/hygiene-measures/ modes-of-transmission/streptococcal-infections-on-the-rise KNOWLEDGE Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) has been known since the 1970s and is caused by toxin-producing group A streptococci - mainly Streptococcus pyogenes [1, 2]. The early stages of TSS often present with cold-like symptoms such as a sore throat, which in rare cases can progress to pneumonia or meningitis, and in the most severe cases to organ failure and necrosis [1, 2]. The incidence of TSS is low worldwide, although a regional cluster has been observed in Japan since the beginning of this year [2]. 27
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