Trends in beta-hemolytic Streptococcus infections within Veterans' Affairs medical centers from 2009 to 2018.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe the recent trends of invasive and noninvasive β-hemolytic Streptococcus cultures in the Veterans' Affairs (VA) cohort from 2009 to 2018. Retrospective cohort study from January 1, 2009, to January 1, 2019. Veterans' Affairs medical centers. All patients aged 18 years and older with cultures positive for β-hemolytic Streptococcus at a VA facility were included in the study. Data were retrieved from the VA Corporate Data Warehouse using structure query language through the SQL Server Management Studio software. Between 2009 and 2018, there were 40,625 patients with cultures with β-hemolytic Streptococcus. The median age was 64 years (interquartile range [IQR], 55-71) and the median Charlson comorbidity index was 4 (IQR, 2-7). Distributions for each type of β-hemolytic Streptococcus based on site of culture are provided. The 30-day all-cause mortality rate from all invasive β-hemolytic Streptococcus cases was 2.3%, and the 90-day all-cause mortality rate was 4.4%. The 30- and 90-day all-cause mortality rates for Streptococcus cases were higher for group A (3.9% and 6.1% respectively) and for groups C and G combined (3.2% and 6.1%, respectively) than for group B (2.0% and 4.0%, respectively). Trends of cultures for invasive and noninvasive β-hemolytic Streptococcus suggest an association with disease and mortality. The burden associated with β-hemolytic Streptococcus infections should not be underestimated.