Subclinical group A streptococcal throat infection in school children

Seven hundred and forty nine apparently healthy school children aged 5-15 years were investigated for throat infection with Group A streptococci (GAS) during December 1990 to May 1991. The prevalence of beta hemolytic streptococci (BHS) was 18.8%; most organisms belonged to Group A streptococci (13.7%). The prevalence of BHS in throat was significantly higher (p < .001) in girls as compared to boys. Immune response to extracellular antigens was studied in 53 children who had GAS strain in their throat, 54.7% had elevated titers of antistreptolysin O or antideoxyribonuclease B or both indicating subclinical infection with GAS. Thus it is recommended that serological examinations should be done along with throat culture to identify subclinical Group A streptococcal throat infection.