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The Anatomy of an Epidemic

Paul F. Gryska, MD; Arthur E. O'Dea, MD

JAMA. 1970;213(7):1189-1191.

Abstract
In a one-month period in 1969,13 postoperative wound infections due to group A β-hemolytic streptococci were discovered. The epidemic was controlled after discovery and treatment of the proven carrier, an anesthesiologist. The source of the carrier organism was the anal verge. His organism, that of eight of the patients, and a group A β-hemolytic streptococcus recovered on a fallout plate in an operating room (with the carrier in attendance) were identical as to bacteriogenic agglutination type.

Author Affiliations
From the departments of surgery and pathology, Newton (Mass)-Wellesley Hospital (Drs. Gryska and O'Dea), the Tufts University School of Medicine (Dr. Gryska), and the Harvard Medical School (Dr. O'Dea).

Footnotes
Reprint requests to 2000 Washington St, Newton, Mass 02162 (Dr. Gryska).

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