Non-group A streptococci in the pharynx. Pathogens or innocent bystanders?
G. F. Hayden, T. F. Murphy and J. O. Hendley
Department of Pediatrics, Children's Medical Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville 22908.
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether beta-hemolytic streptococci from groups
other than A are an important cause of sporadic pharyngitis in children.
DESIGN: Cross-sectional, case-referent survey. SETTING: General pediatric
clinic at a military base in Ohio. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred fifty children
with symptomatic pharyngitis and 150 controls matched for age and time of
presentation over a 20-month study period. INTERVENTIONS: None.
MEASUREMENTS/MAIN RESULTS: Anaerobic culture technique was used to improve
isolation of beta-hemolytic streptococci. Group A beta-hemolytic
streptococci were detected significantly more often among the ill children
than among the controls (39% vs 16%, respectively). In contrast, non-group
A beta-hemolytic streptococci were isolated in similar frequency from the
ill and control children (17% vs 21%, respectively). Non-group A
beta-hemolytic streptococci from groups B, C, F, and G were each isolated
in similar frequency among the ill and control children. The isolation rate
of non-group A organisms increased with age among both patients and
controls. CONCLUSIONS: Non-group A beta-hemolytic streptococci seemed not
to be an important cause of sporadic pharyngitis in this pediatric
population.
