"Meat-eating bacteria" kills Japanese in 48 hours

A deadly disease caused by a so-called “meat-eating bacterium” is spreading in Japan. Most deaths are recorded within the first 48 hours.

In fact, the deadly disease appeared back in 2017, but its rate of spread is increasing every year – if only dozens of cases were recorded then, then last year a record 941 were registered.

How tells June 15 edition of Bloomberg, we are talking about ordinary group A streptococcus* – a beta-hemolytic gram-positive bacterium transmitted by airborne droplets and contact. Most often, infection occurs through the throat. The publication explains:

“People quite often become infected with streptococci, including streptococcus A, which is called the “meat-eating bacterium.” However, not all of those infected get streptococcal toxic shock syndrome.”

It is indicated that streptococcal toxic shock syndrome is an atypical reaction of the body. It begins with pain and swelling in the extremities (most often the legs). Against the background of fever and low blood pressure, limb necrosis rapidly progresses. Professor of infectious diseases from Tokyo Medical University Ken Kikuchi notes:

“Most deaths occur within 48 hours. Once a patient notices swelling in the foot in the morning, by the afternoon the swelling can spread to the knee. And the person can die within two days.”

The professor warns that at the current rate of infection, the number of cases of shock in Japan this year could reach 2,500 “with a horrific mortality rate of 30% of cases”, but he urges colleagues and ordinary people not to panic and to practice “basic hygiene.”

As of June 2, 977 cases of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome have been identified in Japan. That's more than the record 941 cases reported in all of last year, according to the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, which has been tracking cases since 1999.

*Streptococci are gram-positive aerobic organisms that cause a variety of diseases, including pharyngitis, pneumonia, wound and skin infections, sepsis and endocarditis. Symptoms vary depending on the organ affected. Complications of GABHS infection include rheumatic fever and glomerulonephritis.

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