Clinical and microbiologic characteristics of group A streptococcal necrotizing fasciitis in children.

An increase in the incidence of Group A streptococcal necrotizing fasciitis has recently been observed in Montréal, Canada. Clinical features of children hospitalized for invasive Group A streptococcal infections and various virulence factor genes of the bacteria were concomitantly analyzed. It was determined that varicella and presence of speC gene in group A streptococcal strains were associated with necrotizing fasciitis.