ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Group A streptococcal bloodstream infection is the most common presentation of invasive group A streptococcal disease. We sought to determine the impact of immunosuppression on severity of disease and clinical outcomes. METHODS: This retrospective review of 148 patients with at least one positive blood culture for Streptococcus pyogenes from 1/2003 to 3/2013 compared immunocompromised patients with those with no immunocompromise in regards to development of severe complications and mortality. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients (17%) were immunocompromised; 123 were not. Skin and soft tissue infection occurred in 60% of immunocompromised vs. 38% of non-immunocompromised patients, p = .04. Necrotizing fasciitis and septic shock were significantly more common in immunocompromised patients, p < .0001 and .028, respectively. Mortality at 30 days was 32% in immunocompromised patients vs. 16% in non-immunocompromised patients, p = .05. CONCLUSION: Patients who are immunocompromised are more likely to develop necrotizing fasciitis and septic shock as complications of group A streptococcal bacteremia and have a higher mortality rate than patients who are not immunocompromised.
