Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41171514›Full record

ArticleInfection2026

Post-pandemic increase of Group A streptococcal infections in adults: a retrospective cohort study from 2012 to 2024.

Anne Kathrin Lösslein, Tessa Goerne, Roland Elling, Tobias Wengenmayer, Georg Häcker, Paul Marc Biever

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Infection, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Anne Kathrin LössleinInstitute for Infection Prevention and Control, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany. anne.loesslein@uniklinik-freiburg.de.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0570-5902
Tessa GoerneDepartment of General Pediatrics, Adolescent Medicine and Neonatology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5885-6029
Roland EllingDepartment of General Pediatrics, Adolescent Medicine and Neonatology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2209-4154
Tobias WengenmayerInterdisciplinary Medical Intensive Care, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3659-0407
Georg HäckerInstitute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1058-5746
Paul Marc BieverInterdisciplinary Medical Intensive Care, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3470-5936

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesAfter the COVID-19 pandemic an increase in Group A streptococcal (GAS) infections was reported mostly for children in several countries worldwide. However, data on infections in adults remain limited. Therefore, we focus on the pre- and post-pandemic incidence of GAS infections in adults, the need for intensive care treatment and the microbiological sampling patterns.

methodsWe performed a retrospective cohort study of hospitalized adult patients from 2012 to 2024, based on a positive GAS detection in their routine microbiological sampling. We compared the post-pandemic phase after lifting the isolation measures in April 2022 to the pandemic and pre-pandemic phase. Additionally, we analysed positive rapid assessment tests in children, indicative of the prevalence of GAS tonsillitis in this population.

resultsIn the post-pandemic months, we observed a significant increase in overall hospitalized adult patients (IRR 2.94) and ICU patients (IRR 2.5) with GAS infections. The rise can be attributed to an increase in both invasive and non-invasive GAS detections.

conclusionsThe increase in GAS infections is not only relevant in paediatric patients, but also has significant relevance in adult patients. Physicians need to be aware of this increase. The data of 2024 show a sustained increase and an incidence that has not returned to pre-pandemic levels.

Indexed as

COVID-19Streptococcal InfectionsStreptococcus pyogenesAdolescentAdultAgedChildFemaleHospitalizationHumansIncidenceMaleMiddle AgedPandemicsRetrospective StudiesSARS-CoV-2Adult patientsCOVID-19 pandemicGroup A streptococciInfection epidemiologyIntensive care unitPost-pandemic infection trendsPublic health measures

Identifiers

PMID41171514
PMCPMC12864334

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.