Clinical relevance: The University of Vermont Medical Center saw a 900% rise in blood infections, particularly community-acquired group A Streptococcus (GAS) infections, over two years.
- Research linked the surge in GAS infections to the introduction of xylazine, a tranquilizer used as a drug additive, highlighting injection drug use and homelessness as risk factors.
- The majority of infected patients presented with severe skin wounds, prompting urgent public health interventions and efforts to improve access to care for opioid use disorder and wound management.
- Scripps Research developed a vaccine to counteract xylazine’s effects, offering potential relief for overdose symptoms and contributing to strategies combating the opioid epidemic.