BTN News: An ominous sign internationally comes from Japan who have experienced a spike in the number of cases of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS), here in Australia we have also diagnosed a number of infections, these are an alarming, life-threatening bacterial disease which can cause mortality rates of up to 30%. Earlier in June, Japan’s Health Ministry said 977 cases of STSS had been reported this year, exceeding past records. So far this year, that infection is responsible for 77 deaths.
Classically STSS is an opportunistic infection involving group A streptococcus (GAS) bacteria, which are known mostly for causing throat infections and fever (i.e. “strep throat”) in children. Though uncommon, these bacteria may at times release toxins that spread into the blood with critical consequences like toxic shock. Symptoms progress rapidly from fever and myalgia to severe manifestations such as hypotension and shock.
The roots of this rise are yet not clear baffling the experts probing numerous theories. Potential other explanations are that immunity has been altered after Covid-19, making some people more prone to severe bacterial infections than others. Disease control measures against the coronavirus, such as social distancing and masking, unwittingly have also led to a reduction in the spread of such bacteria during the pandemic to some extent, while their loosening might have helped in a recent uptick.
Group A streptococcus infections resolve globally after pandemic restrictions lifted was originally published by the University of Sydney. And warnings from the CDC and reports from several European countries show new rises among younger people specifically.
Japanese authorities have observed that the impact in those under 50 is disproportionate, indicating that the demographic profile of STSS cases may be changing. Studies and health experts are exploring potential causes for the alarming trend.
Ken Kikuchi, a professor at the Tokyo Women’s Medical University, also points out how weakened immune responses can increase the risk for post-pandemic. Being exposed to bacteria helps activate immunity, he said, and that process might have been so disrupted during the pandemic that people became less – not more – likely to be infected.
According to the CDC, STSS continues to pose a major threat especially for the elderly and individuals with other serious health conditions despite the progress made in treatment. How bacteria enter the body is still an important area of investigation.
In light of this unprecedented health crisis in Japan, we must be vigilant and further elucidate STSS so as to decrease its potential morbidity and prevent future outbreaks.
