Blood Sampling Protocol

Patients eligible for study:

1. Cases of Necrotizing Fasciitis or Streptococcal Toxic Shock who receive IVIG therapy. 
2. Cases of Necrotizing Fasciitis or Streptococcal Toxic Shock who DO NOT receive IVIG therapy. 
3. Other less severe cases of group A streptococcal disease (eg. cellulitis, pneumonia, wound infections, etc) who can serve as control patients. 

For IVIG treated Necrotizing Fasciitis or Streptococcal Toxic Shock case we need:

• 4 green tops of blood (heparinized 10 cc tubes) prior to IVIG
• 4 green tops immediately after the IVIG treatment (usually 12-24 hours after the first sample)
• 4 green tops within 48-96 hours after the first sample
• Signed consent form (Immune Study I) for the patient so that we can follow-up to obtain convalescent bloods in one month.

For NON-IVIG treated Necrotizing Fasciitis cases or Streptococcal Toxic Shock cases we need:

• 4 green tops of blood (heparinized 10 cc tubes) in first 24-48 hours of disease 
• 4 green tops within 48-96 hours after the first sample 
• Signed consent form (Immune Study II) for the patient so that we can follow-up to obtain convalescent bloods in one month. 

For NON-SEVERE Group A Streptococcal cases (eg. cellulitis, pneumonia, etc.) who are willing to be control patients:

• 4 green tops of blood (heparinized 10 cc tubes) in first 24-48 hours of disease 
• 4 green tops within 48-96 hours after the first sample 
• Signed consent form (Immune Study II) for the patient so that we can follow-up to obtain convalescent bloods in one month.

Please send samples and consent form to Microbiology Laboratory at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto.

For instructions and inquiries please call our study office at: