Affiliations: Department of Pediatrics, Atrium Medical Centre
Parkstad, The Netherlands | Department of Medical Microbiology, Atrium Medical
Centre Parkstad, The Netherlands
Note: [] Correspondence: Bianca Panis, M.D., Atrium Medical Centre
Parkstad, P.O. Box 4446, 6401 CX Heerlen, The Netherlands. Tel.: +31 45 576
7236; Fax: +31 45 576 7154; E-mail: bianca.panis@wanadoo.nl
Abstract: Group A beta hemolytic streptococci (GAS) can cause a wide range of
mild infections but they are associated with severe infections with high
morbidity and mortality rates. Risk factors for invasive GAS infections in
children include antecedent varicella zoster infection. There is an increasing
incidence of invasive GAS infection caused by clonal strains leading to
outbreaks in the last decade. We describe four pediatric patients with severe
conditions caused by GAS, leading to intensive care support in two patients.
Two of the patients had antecedent varicella infection. A single clone of group
A streptococcus was responsible in all children. Routine varicella vaccination
is not currently part of the health programs of many countries, including The
Netherlands. One benefit of universal varicella vaccination would be the
prevention of some cases of pediatric invasive GAS disease, leading to a
decrease in hospitalization, morbidity and mortality rates.
Keywords: Group A beta hemolytic streptococci (GAS), pediatric, varicella, vaccination
