Group G streptococcal infections on a dermatological ward.

Groups A, B, C and G streptococci were cultured from 63 consecutive in-patients recruited between November 1987 and April 1988 and monitored until the end of July 1988. Chronic leg ulcers were present in 34 patients. Group G was found in 34 patients, 25 of whom had pyoderma and 3 had sepsis. Six of the patients had no signs of clinical infection, and treatment with antibiotics was therefore withheld. Recurrent phlegmon or erysipelas developed in 2 of 28 patients with clinical Group G infections. Erysipelas developed some 1-7 months later in 3 of the 6 patients who were not initially treated. No significant difference in severity or additional medical conditions was found between the patients with either Group G or Group A streptococci. In comparison, data on all streptococcal cultures at the Department indicated that Group G was isolated 2.6 times as often as Group A streptococci for the in-patients, compared with 1.1 for all patients seen. It is concluded that Group G streptococcal skin infections must be regarded with the same clinical vigilance as Group A infections.