Severe group a streptococcus infection after thyroidectomy: report of three cases and review.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is an uncommon cause of infection after clean surgery in non-pregnant adults. METHODS: Report of three cases and review of the literature. results: For the first time in France, severe GAS infections were observed in three patients who underwent thyroidectomy at three hospitals. Two of them developed streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. CONCLUSION: Better knowledge of physiopathologic mechanisms would help in the detection and prevention of severe GAS infections.