Event Details

PHO Microbiology Rounds: What’s New in Group A Streptococcus (GAS) and Invasive GAS Disease Research in Ontario

Group A Streptococcus (GAS; Streptococcus pyogenes) is a bacterial pathogen associated with high morbidity and mortality, with invasive GAS (iGAS) infection being the most severe acute manifestation. This PHO Microbiology Rounds highlights recent Ontario GAS and iGAS research findings from several Toronto, Ontario academic centres.

This session will:

• Provide an overview of the increase in iGAS cases, non-invasive GAS clinical presentations and emm types in children over recent years.
• Describe the change in iGAS infection incidence prior to, during, and post COVID-19 pandemic.
• Compare what is similar and different about iGAS disease in homeless adults compared to other populations.
• Explore genetic aspects that differentiate invasive and non-invasive GAS strains determined by whole genome sequencing.

Intended audience: Clinicians, microbiologists, public health professionals working in infectious disease, researchers, MOHs/AMOHs, public health physicians and nurses.

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Describe the epidemiology of invasive and non-invasive Group A Streptococcus (GAS) in children.
• Describe recent changes in the incidence of iGAS in Toronto and the Peel region.
• Review the incidence and epidemiology of iGAS in homeless persons.
• Determine the viability of whole genome sequencing to differentiate invasive from non-invasive GAS clinical isolates.

Presenter(s): Dr. Aaron Campigotto, Dr. Michelle Science, Dr. Allison McGeer and Dr. Joseph Zeppa

Dr. Aaron Campigotto, MD, is a Medical Microbiologist and Head of the Division of Microbiology at The Hospital for Sick Children and is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology at the University of Toronto.

Dr. Michelle Science, MD, MSc, is a Paediatric Infectious Disease physician and Medical Advisor for Infection Prevention and Control at The Hospital for Sick Children, IPAC physician at Public Health Ontario and is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Paediatrics at the University of Toronto.

Dr. Allison McGeer, MD, is a Senior Clinician Scientist at Sinai Health, Professor in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology at the University of Toronto and Coordinating Investigator at the Toronto Invasive Bacterial Diseases Network (TIBDN).

Dr. Joseph Zeppa, PhD, is a Clinical Microbiology Fellow at the University of Toronto; he completed his PhD from the University of Western Ontario and postdoctoral training from the University of Pittsburgh.

Disclaimer

The opinions expressed by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies or views of Public Health Ontario, nor does the mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by Public Health Ontario.

Accreditation

Public Health Ontario Rounds are a self-approved group learning activity (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC). In order to receive written documentation for Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits, please check “Yes” beside the question “Do you require CME credits?” on the registration form.

College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) Affiliate Members may count RCPSC credits toward their Mainpro+ credit requirements. All other CFPC members may claim up to 50 Certified credits per cycle for participation in RCPSC MOC Section 1 accredited activities.

PHO Rounds are also approved by the Council of Professional Experience for professional development hours (PDHs) for members of the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors (CIPHI).

For more information or for a record of registration for other Continuing Education purposes, please contact capacitybuilding@oahpp.ca.

Accessibility

Public Health Ontario is committed to complying with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require accommodations to participate in this event, please contact 647-260-7100 or capacitybuilding@oahpp.ca.