Predictors of severe disease in Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis bacteremia: a population-based study

Abstract Background Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis (SDSE) is a leading cause of invasive β-hemolytic streptococcal infections in many countries and is increasingly recognized as a cause of severe disease. However, clinical data on severe SDSE disease remain limited. The aim of this st...

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Main Authors: Miia Saukkosaari, Janne Aittoniemi, Reetta Huttunen, Tiina Luukkaala, Sari Rantala
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-04-01
Series:BMC Infectious Diseases
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-025-10966-8
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author Miia Saukkosaari
Janne Aittoniemi
Reetta Huttunen
Tiina Luukkaala
Sari Rantala
author_facet Miia Saukkosaari
Janne Aittoniemi
Reetta Huttunen
Tiina Luukkaala
Sari Rantala
author_sort Miia Saukkosaari
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis (SDSE) is a leading cause of invasive β-hemolytic streptococcal infections in many countries and is increasingly recognized as a cause of severe disease. However, clinical data on severe SDSE disease remain limited. The aim of this study was to identify predictors of severe disease in SDSE bacteremia. Methods This retrospective study covered 217 episodes of SDSE bacteremia in 211 adult patients in the Pirkanmaa area, Finland from August 2015 to June 2018. Severe disease was defined as admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) and/or death. Results 10% of the patients had severe disease, and the overall 30-day case-fatality rate was 7.8%. Alcohol abuse (odds ratio [OR] 5.5 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1–28], p = 0.038) and malignancy (OR 4.2 [1.3–13], p = 0.014) were significantly associated with severe disease. Unconsciousness (OR 23 [1.9–271], p = 0.018), dyspnea (OR 5.4 [1.7–17], p = 0.005) or falling (OR 3.8 [1.1–13], p = 0.031) as the first sign or symptom predicted severe disease. Conclusion Alcohol abuse, malignancy, as well as unconsciousness, dyspnea and falling as first signs of infection were associated with severe disease in SDSE bacteremia. These novel findings expand our knowledge of SDSE bacteremia and provide valuable insights for identifying patients at the highest risk of severe disease.
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spelling doaj-art-72759983147649c0974fe8ca059bedc82025-08-20T03:37:19ZengBMCBMC Infectious Diseases1471-23342025-04-012511810.1186/s12879-025-10966-8Predictors of severe disease in Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis bacteremia: a population-based studyMiia Saukkosaari0Janne Aittoniemi1Reetta Huttunen2Tiina Luukkaala3Sari Rantala4Department of Internal Medicine, Tampere University HospitalFimlab LaboratoriesDepartment of Internal Medicine, Tampere University HospitalResearch, Development and Innovation Center, Tampere University HospitalDepartment of Internal Medicine, Tampere University HospitalAbstract Background Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis (SDSE) is a leading cause of invasive β-hemolytic streptococcal infections in many countries and is increasingly recognized as a cause of severe disease. However, clinical data on severe SDSE disease remain limited. The aim of this study was to identify predictors of severe disease in SDSE bacteremia. Methods This retrospective study covered 217 episodes of SDSE bacteremia in 211 adult patients in the Pirkanmaa area, Finland from August 2015 to June 2018. Severe disease was defined as admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) and/or death. Results 10% of the patients had severe disease, and the overall 30-day case-fatality rate was 7.8%. Alcohol abuse (odds ratio [OR] 5.5 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1–28], p = 0.038) and malignancy (OR 4.2 [1.3–13], p = 0.014) were significantly associated with severe disease. Unconsciousness (OR 23 [1.9–271], p = 0.018), dyspnea (OR 5.4 [1.7–17], p = 0.005) or falling (OR 3.8 [1.1–13], p = 0.031) as the first sign or symptom predicted severe disease. Conclusion Alcohol abuse, malignancy, as well as unconsciousness, dyspnea and falling as first signs of infection were associated with severe disease in SDSE bacteremia. These novel findings expand our knowledge of SDSE bacteremia and provide valuable insights for identifying patients at the highest risk of severe disease.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-025-10966-8Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies equisimilisSDSEBacteremiaRisk factorMortalityDisease severity
spellingShingle Miia Saukkosaari
Janne Aittoniemi
Reetta Huttunen
Tiina Luukkaala
Sari Rantala
Predictors of severe disease in Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis bacteremia: a population-based study
BMC Infectious Diseases
Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies equisimilis
SDSE
Bacteremia
Risk factor
Mortality
Disease severity
title Predictors of severe disease in Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis bacteremia: a population-based study
title_full Predictors of severe disease in Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis bacteremia: a population-based study
title_fullStr Predictors of severe disease in Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis bacteremia: a population-based study
title_full_unstemmed Predictors of severe disease in Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis bacteremia: a population-based study
title_short Predictors of severe disease in Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis bacteremia: a population-based study
title_sort predictors of severe disease in streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp equisimilis bacteremia a population based study
topic Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies equisimilis
SDSE
Bacteremia
Risk factor
Mortality
Disease severity
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-025-10966-8
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