Lower immunity after lockdown likely impacted outbreak of deadly strep A infections
Researchers studying the winter 2022/2023 outbreak of group A streptococcus infections in Scotland have found strong evidence that the outbreak was not caused by a new virulent strain of the bacteria, but was likely the result of pandemic isolation precautions.
Researchers from the University of Glasgow and the Scottish Microbiology Reference Laboratory have concluded that the winter 2022/2023 outbreak of group A streptococcus infections in Scotland was not caused by a new virulent strain of the bacteria, but rather the result of lowered immunity due to pandemic isolation precautions. The study, published in the Journal of Infection, found that the surge in strep A cases was driven by changes in human behavior, such as reduced mixing and exposure to bacteria during lockdowns, rather than a more dangerous strain of the bacteria.
The outbreak led to 28 child deaths across the U.K.'s four nations, and older adults were also significantly affected. The researchers analyzed 11 years of Scottish surveillance data and the complete genetic code of over 400 samples of the most common strain of strep A, finding no evidence of a new or more dangerous strain. Instead, they concluded that the surge was driven by lowered immunity combined with the return of flu and RSV infections at the same time.
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