UK strep A research shows highest incidence of invasive disease has shifted from the most deprived groups to the second most affluent group

(Press-News.org)  

**Note: the release below is from the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (ECCMID 2023, Copenhagen, 15-18 April). Please credit the conference if you use this story**

Measures introduced to reduce transmission of COVID-19 infections during 2020-2021 suppressed transmission of group A streptococcal (GAS) infections, particularly in children. Following the lifting of public health restrictions in the UK in Feb-2022, Group A Streptococcus presentations – including scarlet fever and invasive Group A Strep – rose significantly in England, although iGAS still remained very rare.

After a period of very high incidence in December 2022, scarlet fever notifications are now in line with what is expected at this time of year.However, iGAS notifications remain slightly higher than normally seen at this point in the season.

New research by UKHSA presented at this year’s European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (ECCMID 2023, Copenhagen, 15-18 April) shows that while no new strains emerged in 2022, emm1, which is more likely to cause severe disease, was more common than in previous years.

Analysis of the populations impacted by the increase in infections found that pre-pandemic, iGAS incidence was higher in the most deprived quintiles, but post-pandemic the highest was in the second most affluent quintile. Further research is needed to understand the reasons for this.

For enquiries/interview requests please contact the UKHSA Press Office. T) +44 20 7654 8400 E) ukhsa-pressoffice@ukhsa.gov.uk 

The authors declare no conflicts of interest

This text is based on abstract 6937 (Late breaker MMK0401 at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (ECCMID) annual meeting. The material has been peer reviewed by the congress selection committee.  The research has been not yet been submitted to a medical journal for publication.

 

 

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