Protracted cluster of Group A Streptococcal infection among individuals receiving wound care in the community, North East England, 2022: an outbreak report.
Gayle Dolan, Juliana Coelho, Yan Ryan, Angela Scott, Melanie Milburn, Chris Settle, Theresa Lamagni
Author Information
Gayle Dolan: North East Health Protection Team, Chief Medical Advisor's Group, UK Health Security Agency, Newcastle, UK. ORCID
Juliana Coelho: Healthcare Associated Infection & Antimicrobial Resistance Division, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK.
Yan Ryan: Healthcare Associated Infection & Antimicrobial Resistance Division, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK.
Angela Scott: South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, Sunderland, UK.
Melanie Milburn: South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, Sunderland, UK.
Chris Settle: South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, Sunderland, UK.
Theresa Lamagni: Healthcare Associated Infection & Antimicrobial Resistance Division, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK.
Background: Outbreaks of Group A Streptococcal (GAS) infection are difficult to detect in community healthcare settings and present unique challenges for infection prevention and control (IPC). We describe investigation of a cluster of GAS among individuals receiving wound care from the same community integrated care team (CIT) and associated complexities. Methods: Prospective and retrospective surveillance for cases of invasive and noninvasive GAS infection linked to the CIT was undertaken with the local NHS trust IPC team. Screening samples were requested from staff working in the CIT (n = 191) and from staff and residents (n = 73) in care home A where several cases resided. Clinical isolates were sent to the UKHSA reference laboratory for typing and whole genome sequencing (WGS). Results: Twenty-two cases were identified over a five-month period. Eighteen had isolates available for typing, 11 of which were type 108.1 and 0-2SNPs apart on WGS. Six were different types and one type 108.1 but 9-13SNPs apart from other isolates and so excluded from the investigation. No staff infected or colonized with 108.1 were identified, and no single healthcare worker had attended all cases. GAS was isolated in the room of a case resident in care home A and found to be closely genetically related to clinical isolates. Conclusions: WGS was integral in identifying outbreak cases and a multiagency approach essential to the investigation. Unfortunately, despite this no clear source or route of transmission was identified. Further research is required to determine the most effective IPC strategies for community healthcare.
References
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2007 Jan;28(1):68-74
[PMID: 17230390]
J Am Geriatr Soc. 2016 Dec;64(12):e279-e284
[PMID: 27996105]
