Impact of the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic on Streptococcus pyogenes Infections
Author Information
Author(s): Brañas Patricia, Fontenla Fabiola, Castaño-Amores María Victoria, Recio Raúl, Muñoz-Gallego Irene, Villa Jennifer, Viedma Esther, Folgueira Lola
Primary Institution: Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre
Hypothesis
How did the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic affect the incidence and characteristics of Streptococcus pyogenes infections?
Conclusion
The study found that the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic significantly reduced S. pyogenes infections, particularly respiratory cases in children, but rates returned to pre-pandemic levels by 2022 and 2023.
Supporting Evidence
- Respiratory infections predominantly affected children, accounting for 76% of cases.
- A sharp decline in S. pyogenes infections was observed during the pandemic.
- Invasive respiratory infections were more frequent in children (54.8%).
- By 2022 and 2023, infection rates returned to pre-pandemic levels.
- Most pediatric invasive cases occurred between late 2022 and early 2023.
Takeaway
During the COVID-19 pandemic, fewer kids got sick from a germ called Streptococcus pyogenes, but after the pandemic, the number of infections went back to normal.
Methodology
This retrospective study analyzed 915 cases of S. pyogenes infections from 2018 to 2023, categorizing them into respiratory and non-respiratory infections.
Potential Biases
The study may have missed some cases of invasive disease due to incomplete clinical data review.
Limitations
Data collection may be inconsistent due to the retrospective nature of the study, potentially leading to under-reporting of invasive disease cases.
Participant Demographics
58% of participants were pediatric, with a median age of 5 years for respiratory infections and 46.5 years for non-respiratory infections.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Confidence Interval
[3, 8]
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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