2016 Volume 126 Issue 10 Pages 1929-1938
Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) has a high mortality rate, and group A streptococcus is the usual causative bacterial species. Recently, cases of STSS caused by non-group A β-hemolytic streptococcus have increased. According to the Japan-Infections Disease Law, reporting all cases of STSS caused by β-hemolytic streptococcus has been mandatory since 2006.
In contrast, necrotizing fasciitis, which is a frequent complication with STSS, but not the same disease, is not required to be reported. Therefore, case reports of necrotizing fasciitis are sporadic. In this report, we collected case reports of necrotizing fasciitis between 2011 and 2015 in Japan and based on these reports, we reconsidered the existing definition of necrotizing fasciitis, clarified the characteristics of non-group A streptococcal necrotizing fasciitis, and determined the appropriate operative interventions for the treatment of the condition.
