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Health officials in Maine are investigating a cluster of invasive Group A Streptococcal (GAS) infections in patients who have reported a history of injecting bath salts,according to a Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) health advisory Dec. 6.In addition, physicians and other health providers are being advised to be on the lookout for the symptoms of invasive GAS among intravenous (IV) drug users.There have been four cases of invasive GAS infection in drug users ages 23 to 37.All cases reported injecting bath salts, two had Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome (STSS), all required hospitalization, one required intensive care, and one had necrotizing fasciitis according to the alert.All four patients were from two Maine counties, Aroostook and Penobscot.Health providers who suspect invasive GAS in an IV drug user should perform skin, wound, and/or blood cultures and consider prompt antibiotic treatment for patients presenting with symptoms of GAS (including cellulitis) and STSS.Streptococcus pyogenes, or beta streptococcus group A is a very common pathogenic bacterium in humans.Probably the most common disease caused by Streptococcus pyogenes is pharyngitis, or strep throat. Strep throat is very common in school-aged children, particularly in the winter and spring months. Untreated strep throat can lead to more serious complications like rheumatic fever; however, this is relatively uncommon.It is also a cause of several skin infections such as impetigo and cellulitis. Impetigo is a characterized by a crusty lesion frequently found on the mouth area. Cellulitis typically occurs after a wound or burn where the bacteria enters and spread through the skin and lower tissues.More serious, potentially life-threatening infections caused by Streptococcus pyogenes include necrotizing fasciitis (commonly called flesh-eating bacteria) and toxic shock syndrome.Approximately 25% of patients with necrotizing fasciitis and more than 35% with STSS die.
In addition, Streptococcus pyogenes can cause scarlet fever, septicemia and pneumonia. The death of Muppets creator Jim Henson was a result of an infection with Streptococcus pyogenes.“Bath Salts” are an increasingly popular drug which goes by a number of names including "Ivory Wave," "Purple Wave," Vanilla Sky," and "Bliss."The drug is a chemical synthetic stimulant, most commonly methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), but others like mephedrone and methylone are known to cause intoxication in users, and the effects include paranoia, delusions, suicidal tendencies and chest pains. The drug is taken by oral, smokable, snortable means and now to achieve a quicker high, injection is becoming more common.For more infectious disease news and information, visit and “like” the Infectious Disease News Facebook page
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