Abstract
More than 900 cases of scarlet fever were recorded in Hong Kong during January-July, 2011. Six cases were complicated by toxic shock syndrome, of which 2 were fatal. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns suggested a multiclonal epidemic; emm12 was the predominant circulating type. We recommend genetic testing of and antimicrobial resistance monitoring for this reportable disease.
MeSH terms
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Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
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Child
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Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field
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Epidemics*
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Female
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Hong Kong / epidemiology
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Humans
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Incidence
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Microbial Sensitivity Tests
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Scarlet Fever / complications
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Scarlet Fever / epidemiology*
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Scarlet Fever / microbiology
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Shock, Septic / epidemiology
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Shock, Septic / etiology
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Streptococcus pyogenes / drug effects
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Streptococcus pyogenes / genetics*