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Relationship between group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis and asthma.
Maria Del Carmen Trojavchich1, Carlos D Crisci, Mehrdad Shafa
1Department of Pediatrics, San Antonio de Areco General Hospital, Buenos Aires, Argentina. mctroja@areconet.com.ar
Summary
Children with asthma or allergic rhinitis do not have a higher risk of group A beta hemolytic streptococcal (GABHS) infections. This study suggests cautious antibiotic prescribing for pediatric asthma patients to combat antimicrobial resistance.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric infectious diseases
- Allergology
- Public health
Background:
- Childhood asthma and antimicrobial resistance are significant public health issues.
- Frequent antibiotic use in children may contribute to increased asthma and allergy severity.
- Investigating the link between GABHS infections and pediatric allergic conditions is crucial for antibiotic stewardship.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if pediatric patients with asthma or allergic rhinitis exhibit altered rates of group A beta hemolytic streptococcal (GABHS) tonsillopharyngeal infections.
- To inform potential revisions in antibiotic prescription guidelines for pediatric asthma patients.
- To assess the association between allergic conditions and GABHS pharyngitis in children.
Main Methods:
- Prospective analysis of pediatric patients (2-18 years) presenting with symptoms of GABHS pharyngitis.
- Screening for asthma and/or allergic rhinitis in participants.
- Utilizing rapid strep tests and throat cultures to diagnose GABHS infection.
- Conducting the study across two international pediatric clinics in Detroit, USA, and Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Main Results:
- In Detroit, 33.6% of eligible patients tested positive for GABHS; in Buenos Aires, 21.8% tested positive.
- Patients with asthma or allergic rhinitis showed no increased risk for GABHS tonsillopharyngeal infections in either location (Detroit OR=1.36, Buenos Aires OR=0.50).
- The findings indicate that pediatric asthma patients do not have a higher susceptibility to GABHS infections compared to the general pediatric population.
Conclusions:
- Children with asthma do not present a higher risk for developing GABHS tonsillopharyngeal infections.
- Current findings do not support the liberal prescription of antibiotics for pediatric asthma patients.
- This research underscores the importance of judicious antibiotic use in managing pediatric respiratory conditions and combating antimicrobial resistance.