Surveillance of group a streptococcal throat infections among school children in mangalore

Abstract

Acute pharyngitis can manifest as sore throat. The primary infection is presumed to be of viral etiology, infection with bacterial pathogens commonly present in the nasopharynx can occur during viral infections. Streptococci pyogenes is one of the commonest bacterial pathogens that cause pharyngitis among school aged children. Aim of Our Study: To study the prevalence of throat carriage of Group A betahemolytic streptococci among school children in Mangalore and to find its antimicrobial susceptibility pattern. Materials And Methods: The throat swab was collected from 300 children from the age group 5-15 years, studying in various schools in Mangalore, over a period of 1 year, and Group A betahemolytic streptococci was isolated and sensitivity pattern was noted Results: A total of 300 students from different schools were included in the study. The prevalence of GAS was 5% among the 300 school children included in this study. The highest prevalence for GAS was noted in the >14yrs age group (8.6%) and in male (6.2%). The prevalence of GAS was both found to be higher among the lower socio-economic group 60% and 77.8% respectively. The isolation rates for GAS was both found to be higher during the winter (oct-jan) season 8.7% and 10.3% respectively. All the isolates of GAS were found to be sensitive to penicillin. Significance of the study it helps in the surveillance of streptococcal infection and thus helps in preventing the two non suppurative sequlae: Acute Rheumatic Fever and Acute Glomerulonephritis. These two non– suppurative sequlae are responsible for a significant number of causes of morality and mortality.