Second elderly patient dies from rare hospital infection

Published on Friday 19 February 2010 21:40

A SECOND elderly patient has died after contracting a rare infection at an Edinburgh hospital, health officials have announced.

The 82-year-old man developed Group A streptococcal infection in Liberton Hospital two weeks ago.

He had received antibiotics for the illness, but went on to suffer further complications relating to the infection, and underlying health problems caused his condition to deteriorate rapidly.

It is the second death at the hospital associated with the infection, which is caused by a bacteria usually found living harmlessly on the skin, nose or throat.

An 86-year-old woman died a fortnight ago, during which initial efforts were made to establish if there was any link between the two cases. Both had been in-patients in ward four, and in attempt to prevent any further spread, precautionary infection control procedures were reinforced and still remain in place.

In the meantime, however, the ward remains closed to all new patients.

Announcing the death yesterday, NHS Lothian officials said that screening for staff and patients was also being undertaken to reduce the possibility of repeat infection.

Dr Dermot Gorman, consultant in public health medicine at NHS Lothian, said: "Our thoughts are with the families of both patients at this difficult time.

"Patients in Liberton and their relatives can be reassured that all steps are being taken and that infection control measures have been reinforced to protect them, staff and visitors."

Two other patients have since been diagnosed with the infection in their blood and are described as well following antibiotic treatment.

One other patient had a skin infection which has responded to treatment.

Four patients were found to be "colonised" by the bug, which means the infection was living on their skin, nose or throat without causing any harm. They were all being treated with antibiotics.

Another patient who was recently admitted into the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh was also found to have the Group A strep infection but the NHS said he had no connection with ward four at Liberton.

Tests were under way to establish the source and strains of the infection to determine if there was any link between all of the cases.

Aileen MacArthur, of NHS Lothian, said: "All patients in ward four in Liberton and their relatives have been informed. The nature of the infection and the actions taken have been fully explained to them."

The NHS said most Group A strep infections are relatively mild.

The infection can result in a sore throat or skin infection such as impetigo and can also cause respiratory infections.

But, on rare occasions, the bacteria can cause 'invasive infections'. These are usually caused when the organism enters the system through an open wound or skin lesion.

The incidence of these more serious infections is very low, with around one to four cases per 100,000 population in Scotland.

The invasive form of the infection is most common in the elderly population, especially those aged 75 and over.

In July, however, a Scottish teenager died from complications arising from an unusual combination of swine flu and a pre-existing strep A infection, which led to tonsillitis and blood poisoning.