Severe Group A Streptococcus Infections in Paris, France, 2018-2023
Streptococcus pyogenes, commonly referred to as Group A Streptococcus (GAS), has the ability to induce a diverse range of illnesses.

In several European countries and the United States, a notable surge in invasive GAS (iGAS) infections has been documented since mid-2022. This sharp increase contrasts with the gradual rise in iGAS incidence observed among children over the past three decades. As demonstrated for several viral infections, the recent upturn in iGAS infections is potentially linked to the relaxation of mitigation measures implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as face mask usage and school closures.

Since November 2022, concerns have been raised by French public health authorities regarding the rise in levels of iGAS infections, and an unexpected increase in pediatric severe GAS infections was reported in a French single-center study. However, this study ended in December 2022 and could only explore short-term trends. The Necker - Enfants malades Hospital in Paris, France, represents an excellent opportunity to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated non-pharmaceutical interventions on the incidence of severe GAS infections, during, and after the pandemic.

This study aims to investigate trends of severe GAS infection incidence in children in the Paris area over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- EligibilityCriteria: Inclusion Criteria:  Children under the age of 18 years. Admitted to Necker-Enfants Malades hospital for community-acquired or healthcare-associated severe Group A Streptococcus (GAS) infections between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2023. Severe GAS infections comprises "invasive" and "probable invasive" GAS illnesses.  "Invasive" GAS infection will be defined as:  isolation by culture or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of GAS from a normally sterile site (e.g., blood, pleural fluid, cerebrospinal fluid, joint fluid, bone, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid); or isolation of GAS from a sterile or non-sterile site accompanied by necrotizing fasciitis or streptococcal toxic shock syndrome.  "Probable invasive" GAS will be defined as acute infections with GAS isolated from a non-sterile site, which includes sputum, otorhinolaryngology surgical specimens (mastoiditis, ethmoiditis, pharyngeal abscess) accompanied with one or more of the following severity criteria:  intravenous (IV) antibiotics; surgery; and/or admission to the PICU.  Exclusion Criteria:  Non-severe GAS infection, such as acute otitis media with otorrhea, pharyngitis, scarlet fever, GAS skin carriage. GAS identified on minor/superficial skin lesions. Otolaryngology infections (e.g., parapharyngeal abscess) that do not require IV antibiotics, surgery, or PICU admission. Opposition to the use of routine data. - HealthyVolunteers: No - Gender: All - MaximumAge: 17 Years - StdAgeList: Child - StudyPopulation: All consecutive children under the age of 18 years with community-acquired or healthcare-associated severe Group A Streptococcus (GAS) infections admitted to Necker-Enfants Malades hospital between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2023. - SamplingMethod: Non-Probability Sample