Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026

Invasion of Human Cells by a Bacterial Pathogen
Published on: March 21, 2011
Non-group A streptococci: are they pathogens in the throat?
M N Chowdhury1, A M Kambal, Y A al-Eissa
1Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Abstract:
A total of 3,184 paediatric patients with sporadic pharyngitis was studied at King Khalid University Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In addition, 478 children without pharyngitis who were matched for age and sex were included as controls. Group A beta-haemolytic streptococci (beta HS) were detected significantly more often among the children with pharyngitis than among the controls (8.4% vs 2.3%; p < 0.0001). In contrast, total non-group A and group C beta HS were isolated at lower frequency from the sick than control children (0.9% vs 2.5% and 0.2% vs 1.2% respectively; p < 0.01) while other non-group A beta HS such as groups B, G and F were each isolated in similar frequency from both the sick and control children. We conclude that non-group A beta HS appear not to be as important as aetiological agents of sporadic pharyngitis in these children.
Related Concept Videos
Acute Pharyngitis
Acute pharyngitis is the inflammation of the back of the throat (pharynx), commonly resulting in a sore throat. It is a frequently encountered condition that prompts individuals to seek medical advice.
Classification
Acute pharyngitis can be categorized based on its underlying cause:
Tonsillitis I: Introduction
Etiology
Three primary contributing factors have been identified.
Bacterial Phylum Spirochaetes
Bacterial Phylum Actinobacteria
Determinants of Bacterial Pathogenicity and Virulence
Streptococcal Pharyngitis

