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Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis and Mycoplasma pneumoniae in children with and without pharyngitis
1Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City 84132.
Insights
Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus is the primary cause of pharyngitis in children. This study found no Chlamydia trachomatis and limited Mycoplasma pneumoniae, supporting current treatment guidelines for pediatric pharyngitis.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric infectious diseases
- Microbiology
- Family medicine
Background:
- Pharyngitis is a common childhood illness.
- Identifying the causative agent is crucial for effective treatment.
- Previous studies have explored various bacterial and atypical pathogens.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of specific treatable organisms in children with and without pharyngitis.
- To assess the association between clinical signs/symptoms and isolated pathogens.
- To inform management strategies for pediatric pharyngitis.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 242 children aged 2-12 years in family practice settings.
- Sampled children with and without pharyngitis between November 1985 and April 1986.
- Cultured for Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus, and other bacteria.
Main Results:
- Chlamydia trachomatis was not detected.
- Mycoplasma pneumoniae (5%), group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus (30%), non-group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus (5%), Hemophilus influenzae (4%), and Staphylococcus aureus (14%) were identified.
- Only group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus showed a statistical association with clinical signs of pharyngitis.
Conclusions:
- Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus remains the principal bacterial pathogen in pediatric pharyngitis.
- Clinical symptoms alone were not reliable indicators for specific pathogen identification.
- Management should focus on the detection and treatment of group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus.
Abstract:
The prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus, and other treatable organisms was studied in children with and without pharyngitis. Children aged 2 to 12 years were evaluated between November 1985 and April 1986 in three family practice offices in the Salt Lake City area. Chlamydia trachomatis was not detected in the pharynx of any of the children studied. Mycoplasma pneumoniae was cultured from 5 percent of the 242 children studied, group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus from 30 percent, non-group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus from 5 percent, Hemophilus influenzae from 4 percent, and Staphylococcus aureus from 14 percent. The symptoms reported were not statistically associated with any organism isolated, and clinical signs of pharyngitis were associated only with the presence of group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus. Based on these results, management of pharyngitis in children should continue to be based on the detection and treatment of group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus.