Prospective Surveillance of Pediatric Invasive Group A Streptococcus Infection.

Background: Invasive group A Streptococcus (GAS) disease has an incidence in high-income countries of 3 to 5 per 100000 per annum and a case-fatality ratio of 10% to 15%. Although these rates are comparable to those of invasive meningococcal disease in Australia before vaccine introduction, invasive GAS disease currently requires reporting in only 2 jurisdictions.

Methods: Data were collected prospectively through active surveillance at the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne (October 2014 to September 2016).