Increasing Incidence of Invasive Group A Streptococcus Disease in First Nations Population, Alberta, Canada, 2003-2017

Emerg Infect Dis. 2021 Feb;27(2):443-451. doi: 10.3201/eid2702.201945.

Abstract

The incidence of invasive group A Streptococcus (iGAS) disease in the general population in Alberta, Canada, has been steadily increasing. To determine whether rates for specific populations such as First Nations are also increasing, we investigated iGAS cases among First Nations persons in Alberta during 2003-2017. We identified cases by isolating GAS from a sterile site and performing emm typing. We collected demographic, social, behavioral, and clinical data for patients. During the study period, 669 cases of iGAS in First Nations persons were reported. Incidence increased from 10.0 cases/100,000 persons in 2003 to 52.2 cases/100,000 persons in 2017. The 2017 rate was 6 times higher for the First Nations population than for non-First Nations populations (8.7 cases/100,000 persons). The 5 most common emm types from First Nations patients were 59, 101, 82, 41, and 11. These data indicate that iGAS is severely affecting the First Nations population in Alberta, Canada.

Keywords: Alberta; Canada; First Nations; GAS; Streptococcus pyogenes; bacteria; emm type; high incidence; iGAS; invasive group A streptococcus disease; streptococci.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alberta / epidemiology
  • Antigens, Bacterial
  • Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Indigenous Canadians
  • Streptococcal Infections* / ethnology
  • Streptococcus pyogenes* / genetics

Substances

  • Antigens, Bacterial
  • Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins