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. 2000 Mar-Apr;6(2):175–179. doi: 10.3201/eid0602.000211

Outbreak among drug users caused by a clonal strain of group A streptococcus.

L M Böhlen 1, K Mühlemann 1, O Dubuis 1, C Aebi 1, M G Täuber 1
PMCID: PMC2640854  PMID: 10756152

Abstract

We describe an outbreak among drug users of severe soft-tissue infections caused by a clonal strain of group A streptococcus of M-type 25. Cases (n = 19) in drug users were defined as infections (mainly needle abscesses) due to the outbreak strain. Comparison with controls showed that infected drug users bought drugs more often at a specific place. Drug purchase and use habits may have contributed to this outbreak.

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Selected References

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