Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS)

STSS caused by Group A Streptococcus (GAS), also known as "flesh-eating bacteria", has been reported some 517 times in Japan since January 1, 2024.

𝑮𝑨𝑺 𝐨𝐫 𝑺𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒑𝒕𝒐𝒄𝒐𝒄𝒄𝒖𝒔 𝒑𝒚𝒐𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒔, is a bacterium that can only be transmitted between humans. It is often the cause of benign infections such as angina or impetigo. However, it can also be 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬, 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐟𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐥, 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 such as fasciitis, necrotizing dermohypodermitis causing tissue destruction, and SCTS, which can lead to meningitis, septicemia, or encodarditis.

These infections are on the rise in Europe. They can be treated with antibiotics, but the Pasteur Institute reports 𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐧 to several families of antibiotics. According to figures from the French public health agency, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝟓𝟎% 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐬, 𝟒𝟎% 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐂𝐓𝐒, and 20-45% for necrotizing dermohypodermatitis.

We must remain vigilant when confronted with symptoms such as fever, swelling and pain in the limbs.