Group G streptococcus--an emerging cause of graft loss?

Following anecdotal reports of skin graft loss due to non-group A streptococcal infection, a retrospective study was performed to compare the effect of streptococcal infections on our recent practice (1987-1990) and on a similar period 15 years earlier. Graft loss was estimated following streptococcal infection of any kind for the two periods, and compared to Staph. aureus controls. In the recent period, graft take was significantly decreased for streptococcus G compared to other non A groups and Staph. aureus controls. No differences were found for the early period. It is suggested that group G streptococcus may now be associated with decreased graft survival and that this is a recently observed effect, possibly due to altered bacterial pathogenicity.