Arcanobacterium haemolyticum and streptococcal pharyngitis in army conscripts

Arcanobacterium haemolyticum was found in 1.4% and beta-haemolytic streptococci in 23% of throat cultures from army conscripts with sore throat (n = 498). 38% of the beta-haemolytic streptococci were of group A. Patients culture-positive for A. haemolyticum or beta-haemolytic streptococci had pharyngeal exudate, cervical lymphadenopathy and ear ache significantly more often--but cough less often--than culture-negative patients. The pharyngeal colonization rate of healthy conscripts (n = 232) by A. haemolyticum was 0.4% and by beta-haemolytic streptococci, 6.5%.