Emerg Infect DiseidEmerging Infectious Diseases1080-60401080-6059Centers for Disease Control107561522640854Research ArticleOutbreak among drug users caused by a clonal strain of group A streptococcus.BöhlenL. M.MühlemannK.DubuisO.AebiC.TäuberM. G.Institute of Medical Microbiology, Berne, Switzerland.Mar-Apr200062175179

We describe an outbreak among drug users of severe soft-tissue infections caused by a clonal strain of group A streptococcus of M-type 25. Cases (n = 19) in drug users were defined as infections (mainly needle abscesses) due to the outbreak strain. Comparison with controls showed that infected drug users bought drugs more often at a specific place. Drug purchase and use habits may have contributed to this outbreak.