Both diabetes and obesity were linked with an increased risk of invasive group A Streptococcus (iGAS), according to a population-based surveillance system applied to nearly 3,000 cases of iGAS.

Investigators estimated the incidence of iGAS infections using cases from Active Bacterial Core surveillance (ABCs) as the numerator. They used the ABCs catchment area population estimates from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey for the denominator.

Among the results:

• Diabetes was linked with an increased risk of iGAS in all racial groups.

• BMI ≥40 was associated with an increased risk of iGAS for whites.

• BMI between 30 and <40, as well as ≥40, were linked with increased odds of death (1.55 and1.62, respectively) vs those with normal weight.

Citation: Langley G, Hao Y, Pondo T, et al. The impact of obesity and diabetes on the risk of disease and death due to invasive group A streptococcus infections in adults. [Published online ahead of print December 23, 2015]. Clin Infect Dis. doi: 10.1093/cid/civ1032.