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A Murine Model of Group B Streptococcus Vaginal Colonization
Published on: November 16, 2016
Prevalence of β-hemolytic Streptococcus in children with special health care needs
Viviane Martha Santos de Morais1, Alice Ramos Orsi, Fernanda Cristina de Albuquerque Maranhão
1Department of Tropical Medicine, Federal University of Pernambuco.
Insights
This study investigated beta-hemolytic Streptococcus in individuals with special health needs, finding no Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A) in the test group. Early identification of beta-hemolytic Streptococcus is crucial for treating pharyngotonsillitis.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Pharyngotonsillitis is commonly caused by Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A), particularly in children and immunocompromised individuals.
- Beta-hemolytic Streptococcus (BHS) are significant pathogens in oropharyngeal infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of beta-hemolytic Streptococcus Group A (SBHGA) and Non-A (SBHGNA) in the oropharynx of individuals with special health needs.
- To compare the prevalence of BHS in individuals with special health needs versus a control group.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study involving oropharyngeal samples from individuals with Down syndrome/mental disorders (test group) and healthy children (control group), aged 5-15 years.
- Bacterial cultures on blood agar, Gram staining, catalase tests, and disk diffusion methods (bacitracin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole) were employed for identification.
- Chi-squared statistical analysis was used to compare the groups.
Main Results:
- A total of 222 bacterial colonies were isolated from 74 individuals in the test group and 65 in the control group.
- In the test group, 36.49% reported previous pharyngotonsillitis episodes, and 9.46% presented with suggestive symptoms.
- No Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A) was detected in the test group; all identified BHS were Non-A. The control group had 5 cases of SBHGA.
Conclusions:
- The absence of Streptococcus pyogenes in individuals with special health needs at APAE suggests a reduced risk of suppurative and non-suppurative sequelae.
- Early identification of beta-hemolytic Streptococcus is vital for prompt pharyngotonsillitis treatment.
- Further research is warranted to understand the specific BHS strains prevalent in this population.
Unlabelled:
Pharyngotonsillitis by β-hemolytic Streptococcus mostly affects children and immunocompromised, being Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A) the most common agent in bacterial pharyngotonsillitis.
Aim:
This work targeted the research of β-hemolytic Streptococcus Group-A (SBHGA) and No-A (SBHGNA) in the oropharynx of individuals with special health needs from the APAE (Maceió-AL).
Method:
A prospective study with oropharynx samples from patients with Down syndrome and other mental disorders (test) and students from a private school (control) aged 5-15 years. Cultures in blood agar (5%) were identified through Gram/catalase tests and bacitracin/trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole disk diffusion method, applying the chi-squared statistical analysis.
Results:
A total of 222 bacterial colonies were isolated in 74 individuals from APAE and 65 in the control group. In the test group, previous episodes of pharyngotonsillitis were reported by 36.49% (27/74) and 9.46% (7/74) were diagnosed with symptoms and/or signs suggestive of oropharynx infection. No positive sample of S. pyogenes was confirmed at APAE, being all samples classified as SBHGNA, with 5 SBHGA in the control group.
Conclusion:
The early identification of β-hemolytic Streptococcus is important for the fast treatment of pharyngotonsillitis and the absence of S. pyogenes avoid future suppurative or not-suppurative sequels in the group from APAE.
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