Pharyngeal and tonsil infections caused by non-group A Streptococcus

Non-group A streptococci are members of the genus Streptococcus but do not share the notoriety of their cousin from group A. Most physicians, including otolaryngologists and head and neck surgeons, do not associate them with upper respiratory tract and head and neck infections. Some laboratories do not bother to report their presence on culture. At the University of California, Los Angeles they have been shown to cause (1) tonsillitis, painful tonsils lacking exudate and erythema (group C, one case; group F, one case), (2) acute nonexudative tonsillitis (group B, two cases; group C, one case; group F, one case), and (3) acute exudative tonsillitis (group C, one case). It should be remembered when there is a report of their presence that they are usually vulnerable to penicillin and its analogs. By judicious use of these drugs, morbidity can be diminished.