[Group A beta-hemolytic streptococci in a traditional black community]

Throat swabs taken from a group of traditionally living people in a remote area of Venda, with no symptoms of sore throat, revealed the presence of Group A beta-haemolytic streptococci in 1,62% of subjects in the 5 - 25-year age group. This is significantly different from the picture in an urban population in Pretoria where the carrier rate was found to be 16,8%. The incidence is apparently not influenced by the low economic level in the rural area. The organisms in the rural area were found to be less sensitive to sulphafurazole than those in the urban area.