Prevalence of Group A streptococcal throat carriage in children

Objective To study the prevalence of Group A Streptococci throat carriage in children.Methods A total of 103 healthy children aged 5-15years were enrolled in this study. The throat swabs were collected and cultured on blood agar. Group A streptococci identified on the basis of beta haemolysis, Gram stain and sero grouped by agglutination tests.Results Out of 103, which were included, 76 were male and 27 were female. The beta hemolytic gram positive streptococci was isolated from 22 children, among these two were Group A streptococci (1.94 percent). Both were male and from noncrowded low socio economic family with good oral hygiene.Conclusion The carriage rate of the beta haemolytic streptococci which are seen in children poses a threat to the community and it should be checked. Carrier rates which ranged from 2.3 percent to 34 percent were reported from different parts of our country. A regular screening needs to be done to control the development of non-suppurative sequelae such as acute rheumatic fever and post streptococcal glomerulonephritis, which are debilitating and difficult to treat.