Increasing incidence of invasive group A streptococcus disease in New Zealand, 2002-2012: A national population-based study

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To analyse the incidence, demographics and molecular epidemiology of invasive group A streptococcal (GAS) disease in New Zealand between 2002 and 2012. METHODS: Using laboratory-based surveillance data, invasive GAS isolates were identified from the Institute of Environmental Science and Research, New Zealand. Hospitalization and mortality data were obtained from the New Zealand Ministry of Health. Molecular typing was performed by sequence analysis of the emm gene. RESULTS: The incidence of invasive GAS infections increased from 3.9 per 100,000 population in 2002 to 7.9 per 100,000 population (P < 0.001) in 2012. The incidence was highest in the over 75-year age group, and in Pa..