AN OUTBREAK OF SURGICAL-WOUND INFECTIONS DUE TO GROUP-A STREPTOCOCCUS CARRIED ON THE SCALP

GROUP A β-hemolytic streptococcus is an uncommon but serious cause of postoperative wound infection. Group A streptococcus is isolated from less than 1 percent of all surgical-wound infections and causes less than 1 incisional-wound infection per 10,000 operations (National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance System, Centers for Disease Control: unpublished data). Clusters of group A streptococcal postoperative wound infections can usually he associated with a carrier who has direct patient-care responsibilities in the operating room. A carrier was identified in 10 of the 12 outbreaks reported since 1965.1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Eight carriers were operating-room personnel with group A streptococcus in their rectums or vaginas. © 1990, Massachusetts Medical Society. All rights reserved.