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[Carrier state of groups A, B, C, and D beta-hemolytic streptococci]
C Betriu1, J Romero, A Sánchez
1Servicio de Microbiología Clínica, Hospital Universitario San Carlos, Madrid.
Insights
Group A Streptococcus is common in school children with pharyngotonsilitis. This study found 11.52% prevalence in school children, peaking at 40.47% in preschoolers.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Pediatrics
- Epidemiology
Context:
- Group A Streptococcus is a leading cause of acute pharyngotonsilitis in school-aged children.
- Non-group A hemolytic streptococci (e.g., group B) are emerging as potential causes of pharyngotonsilitis.
- Understanding the prevalence of streptococcal pharyngeal carriage is crucial for managing pediatric respiratory infections.
Purpose:
- To determine the frequency of pharyngeal carriage of Streptococcus groups A, B, C, and G in primary school children.
- To investigate the prevalence of hemolytic Streptococcus group B in a pediatric population.
- To compare the prevalence of different streptococcal groups in relation to age.
Summary:
- A total of 347 children aged 4-14 years were studied.
- Prevalence of Group A Streptococcus was 11.52% overall, significantly higher (40.47%) in 4-6 year olds.
- Group C Streptococcus prevalence was 2.3%; no carriers of groups B or G were detected.
Impact:
- Findings align with literature identifying school-aged children as primary asymptomatic carriers of Group A Streptococcus.
- The pathogenicity and epidemiological role of non-group A hemolytic streptococci require further investigation.
- This study contributes to understanding streptococcal carriage dynamics in pediatric populations, informing public health strategies.
Background:
Streptococci group A is the most frequently isolated pathogen in the cases of acute pharyngotonsilitis in school-aged children. Hemolytic streptococci B, which are not of group A, have recently been described as a cause of pharyngotonsilitis. A study was carried out in school children in primary school with the aim of knowing the frequency of the state of pharyngeal carriers of streptococci in groups A, B, C and G.
Methods:
A total of 347 children with ages ranging from 4 to 14 years of age were included in the study in which a pharyngeal exudate was obtained to investigate the presence of hemolytic streptococci B.
Results:
The prevalence of streptococci group A in all the age groups studied was of 11.52% being significantly greater (40.47%) among children of preschool age (4-6 years). The prevalence of streptococci group C was 2.3% with no carriers of groups B or G being observed.
Conclusions:
The results of this study are in agreement with the literature reviewed in which asymptomatic carriers of streptococci group A were found to be principally school aged children who are those who most frequently have acute pharyngotonsilitis. Neither the pathogenicity of hemolytic streptococci B, which are not of group A, nor their epidemiologic implications are totally clear.