Journal article
Increased Incidence of Invasive Group A Streptococcus Infections and Fatalities in Southern Wisconsin
The American journal of forensic medicine and pathology, Vol.47(3), pp.239-246
09/2026
DOI: 10.1097/PAF.0000000000001123
PMID: 41820269
Abstract
In spring 2024, 2 otherwise healthy men were diagnosed with invasive Group A Streptococcus (iGAS) meningitis at autopsies performed at 2 separate southern Wisconsin (WI) offices. As iGAS is a rare cause of bacterial meningitis, this raised concern for an outbreak and/or increased organism virulence. The 2 offices retrospectively searched their databases for iGAS deaths from 2002 to 2024 and collaborated with the WI State Laboratory of Hygiene (WSLH) and WI Department of Health Services (WI-DHS) to assess corresponding statewide iGAS activity. The search revealed a total of 19 iGAS deaths (age range: 5 to 58 y). More than half of decedents (n=10; 52.6%) had no comorbidities. iGAS variously manifested as bronchopneumonia (26.3%), soft tissue infection (15.8%), epiglottic/retropharyngeal abscess (15.8%), meningitis (10.5%), and sepsis without clear source (31.6%). In 18 cases, the manner of death was natural; 1 death was accidental. The majority of deaths occurred during winter (57.9%) and spring (21.1%). Deaths peaked dramatically in 2023-2024 with almost 1/3 in our series (31.6%) occurring during those 2 years. Concurrently, WSLH and WI-DHS also reported a markedly increased statewide incidence of iGAS diagnosis (948 cases). Reasons for this trend may include postpandemic illness rebound, an aging US population, increasing iGAS virulence, and a lack of a GAS vaccine.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Increased Incidence of Invasive Group A Streptococcus Infections and Fatalities in Southern Wisconsin
- Creators
- Molly F. Haines - University of Wisconsin–MadisonAaron Amundson - Milwaukee County Medical ComplexCharles T. Rohrer - UW Health University HospitalBrian S. Linert - Milwaukee County Medical ComplexWilliam M. Rehrauer - UW Health University HospitalJeffrey J. Helgager - UW Health University HospitalAlex P. Tannenbaum - UW Health University HospitalAlana K. Sterkel - State LaboratoryAnna Kocharian - Wisconsin Department of Health ServicesRyan P. Westergaard - Wisconsin Department of Health ServicesErin G. Brooks - UW Health University Hospital
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- The American journal of forensic medicine and pathology, Vol.47(3), pp.239-246
- DOI
- 10.1097/PAF.0000000000001123
- PMID
- 41820269
- NLM abbreviation
- Am J Forensic Med Pathol
- ISSN
- 0195-7910
- eISSN
- 1533-404X
- Publisher
- Wolters Kluwer
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 03/13/2026
- Date published
- 09/2026
- Academic Unit
- Pathology
- Record Identifier
- 9985217062502771
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