Diagnosis of Group A Streptococcal Necrotizing Fasciitis by Using PCR To Amplify the Streptococcal Pyrogenic Exotoxin B Gene

This study evaluated a PCR assay for detection of the streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin B (speB) gene from tissue biopsy specimens of patients with necrotizing fasciitis. speB was detected in specimens from all 10 patients with necrotizing fasciitis due to group A streptococcus. The assay was negative for all 11 patients without culture or serologic evidence of streptococcal infection. These results suggest that the detection of speB by PCR may be useful for confirming group A streptococcal infection when cultures are negative or not available.