Group A Streptococcal Puerperal Sepsis With Retroperitoneal Involvement Developing in a Late Postpartum Woman: Case Report

Group A beta-hemolytic streptococci cause a wide range of infectious diseases such as pharyngitis impetigo, rheumatic fever, and even septic shock. Group A streptococcal puerperal sepsis is uncommon today, but recent reports indicate a reemergence of virulent strains can cause toxic-mediated shock and multiple organ failure. We present a case report of a 29 years old postpartum woman after cesarean section who presented group A streptococcal puerperal sepsis. Furthermore, we discuss the GAS strain in the patient and its relation with close contact among family members. The group A streptococci GAS were isolated from the patients retroperitoneal fluid and from her husbands throat swab, respectively. Both isolates were shown to be identical M Type 1. It is well known that exotoxin shock syndrome STSS. We conclude that in this patient, close contacts of persons with GAS appear to be at risk for colonization with identical strains of STSS-causing GAS such as M1 or M3 serotypes. Therefore, the appropriate antibiotic including antibiotic prophylaxis for close contact should be considered.