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Published on: February 23, 2014
[Incidence of streptococcal pharyngitis]
A C Peñalba Citores1, B Riaño Méndez, R Marañón Pardillo
1Sección de Urgencias, Hospital Materno-Infantil Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, España. anitapenalba@hotmail.com
Anales De Pediatria (Barcelona, Spain : 2003)
|September 6, 2007
Summary
Group A Streptococcus (GAS) pharyngitis is more common in children under two than previously thought, with lower rapid test accuracy and higher erythromycin resistance. Group C Streptococcus was also noted in this age group.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
- Epidemiology
Context:
- Acute pharyngitis is common in children, but data on very young children (<2 years) is limited.
- Group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus (GAS) is a primary cause of bacterial pharyngitis.
- Group C Streptococcus is also a potential pathogen in pharyngitis.
Purpose:
- To determine the incidence of streptococcal pharyngitis in patients younger than 2 years.
- To evaluate the role of group C streptococci in acute pharyngitis in symptomatic patients.
- To assess the accuracy of rapid antigen detection tests and antibiotic resistance patterns in this age group.
Summary:
- Group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus (GAS) was identified in 12.6% of patients under 2 years old.
- Rapid antigen detection tests showed lower sensitivity (78%) and PPV (69%) in this young cohort.
- Higher rates of fever, rash, and catarrhal symptoms were observed in younger children, along with increased erythromycin resistance (24.7%) and a notable presence of Group C Streptococcus (5.2%).
Impact:
- Findings suggest a higher incidence of GAS pharyngitis in children under 2 than previously reported.
- Highlights the need for careful interpretation of rapid tests in this age group due to reduced accuracy.
- Indicates a potential increase in erythromycin resistance and the significance of Group C Streptococcus in pediatric pharyngitis.
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