Scarlet outbreaks are rising in Europe and Asia

Is the disease now resistant to antibiotics??
The childhood disease scarlet fever has largely been eradicated in most European countries for more than a century. Nevertheless, outbreaks of the disease have occurred in Europe and Asia over the past five years. Scientists at the University of Queensland (UQ), in collaboration with other research organizations, have used genome sequencing methods to establish a link between the resurgence of scarlet fever and increased resistance of organisms to antibiotic treatment.

Professor Mark Walker of the UQ stated in one opinion that several cases of scarlet fever (group A streptococci) were observed in the UK and Asia. There has been no outbreak in Australia, but over the past five years there have been more than 5,000 cases of scarlet fever in Hong Kong. This value corresponds to a tenfold increase in the disease in the region. In the same period, China had more than 100,000 outbreaks of infectious disease. An outbreak of the disease in the UK has resulted in 12,000 cases of scarlet fever since last year. The results of an international study on this topic were presented in the scientific journal "Scientific Reports".

Physicians warn against the spread of scarlet fever in Europe and Asia. (Image: fotoliaxrender / fotolia.com)

Consequences of scarlet fever kill about 500,000 people annually
Scarlet fever can affect people of different age groups. The disease, however, is mainly found in children between five years and twelve years. Infection with Group A streptococci often causes sufferers to develop fever, headache, sore throat, nausea, and red rash. Group A streptococci result in more than 700 million cases of superficial infections, such as pharyngitis or bacterial dermatitis annually. The disease can also lead to invasive infections, toxic shock, rheumatic heart disease and streptococcal glomerulonephritis. Such sequelae kill about 500,000 people a year.

Scarlet fever can cause permanent damage to the heart
The doctor Dr. med. Nouri Zakour of the UQ added that scarlet fever is very adaptable and variable. The disease may become more resistant to treatments that are typically used for patients with respiratory ailments. Those who did not show any allergic reactions to penicillin could continue to benefit from this type of treatment. Dr. Zakour further stated that a resurgence of scarlet fever could trigger a potential increase in cases of rheumatic heart disease. This could lead to sufferers suffering permanent damage to their hearts.

Scarlet fever must be recognized more quickly and examined better
Improved disease management is important, says Professor Walker and colleagues. This allows physicians to more quickly identify bacteria associated with scarlet fever. In addition, it would be possible to assign and identify elements that confer resistance to antibiotics, the researchers added. This could also monitor the spread of fever-causing group A streptococcal strains. The doctor Dr. med. Zakour of the UQ stated that several factors play an important role in the spread of the disease. For example, bacterial causes and the strength of human immunity could have a strong impact on proliferation. At this stage, it is not yet possible to identify evolutionary forces that might be involved in recent outbreaks. Even environmental variables such as the amount of precipitation and temperature could influence the spread of scarlet fever here, the researchers concluded.