Postoperative Group A β-Hemolytic Streptococcus Outbreak with the Pathogen Traced to a Member of a Healthcare Worker's Household

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Abstract
A cluster of four group A β-hemolytic Streptococcus postoperative wound infections was investigated at a community hospital. The serotypes of the Streptococcus isolated from all four cases, an asymptomatic anesthesiologist and one of his household members were M nontypable T28. During the outbreak period, December 1988, the infection rate among the 40 patients of the anesthesiologist was 7.5%. Among other patients not having contact with this healthcare worker, it was 0.09% (p = .0002 Fisher's exact test). This is only the second reported Group A β-hemolytic Streptococcus hospital outbreak in which the pathogen was traced to a member of a healthcare worker's household. Early outbreak detection and intervention limited the extent of the outbreak.