Clinical management and patient persistence with antibiotic course in suspected group A streptococcal pharyngitis for primary prevention of rheumatic fever: the perspective from a New Zealand emergency department.

Aim: Rates of acute rheumatic fever in the Northland region are historically among the highest in New Zealand, impacting disproportionately on Māori children and youth. The primary aim of this study was to determine patient persistence to antibiotic treatment for group A streptococcus (GAS) pharyngitis in patients presenting with sore throat to the Whangarei Hospital Emergency Department. Secondarily, this study sought to determine prescriber adherence to the national antibiotic guideline for sore throat management.

Necrotizing fasciitis due to Vibrio parahaemolyticus.

A report of a fatal case of necrotizing fasciitis of the leg due to Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection. This organism frequently causes minor infections in seawater-exposed wounds. In this case the patient died due to fulminant sepsis caused by necrotizing fasciitis, despite surgical debridement.