Widespread deadly infection putting Americans at risk, doctor warns

Five years after the worldwide hyperfocus on COVID-19 began, concerns are rising about the potential for the next pandemic. While many are worried about the possibility of another influenza outbreak or the emergence of a new pathogen like bird flu, there is a growing threat from non-influenza viruses and bacteria that are spreading unchecked.

One such bacteria that is causing alarm is Streptococcus Group A, a common pathogen that colonizes the throat and tonsils of nearly 20% of children in the U.S. Dr. Joshua Osowicki, a senior research fellow at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute in Melbourne, Australia, warns that this bacteria is on the rise globally. While Group A strep infections are typically treatable with penicillin drugs, the challenge lies in diagnosing the infection early enough to prevent complications.

Complications from untreated or recurrent strep infections can lead to serious conditions like scarlet fever, rheumatic fever, and rheumatic heart disease. These conditions are on the rise in areas with inadequate medical care, including parts of the U.S. Invasive strains of Group A strep can cause life-threatening infections such as deep-rooted skin infections, sepsis, meningitis, and deadly pneumonia.

In the U.S., there has been a significant increase in cases of invasive Group A strep, with about 21,000 cases and 2,000 deaths reported between 2013 and 2022. While antibiotic resistance is not a primary concern with Group A strep, the challenge lies in diagnosing and treating severe cases before it causes irreparable damage.

Currently, there is no vaccine available for Group A strep, but researchers like Dr. Osowicki are working on developing one. Human challenge trials are being conducted to study the effectiveness of potential vaccines and to better understand how the bacteria works in the human body. There are multiple vaccine candidates in various stages of development, with the goal of creating a safe and effective vaccine to protect both children and adults from Group A strep infections.

Despite concerns about vaccine skepticism, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers are optimistic about the future of strep A vaccines. It may take several years before a viable vaccine candidate reaches the market, but the potential benefits of such a vaccine are significant.

Ultimately, the goal is to create a vaccine that is widely accepted and can help prevent both mild and severe cases of Group A strep infections. With continued research and development, there is hope that a vaccine will be available in the near future to protect individuals from the harmful effects of this common bacterial infection.