Prospective Surveillance of Streptococcal Sore Throat in a Tropical Country

• DOI: 10.1097/inf.0b013e318194b2af
• Publication Date: 2009-05-29T07:19:32Z
• Authors: Andrew C. Steer; Adam W. J. Jenney; Joseph Kado; Michael F. Good; Michael Batzloff; Graham Magor; Roselyn Ritika; Kim E. Mulholland; Jonathan R. Carap...
• Keywords: Sore throat; Throat

Background: Acute rheumatic fever and heart disease cause a high burden of in Fiji surrounding Pacific Island countries, but little is known about the epidemiology group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis region. We designed study to estimate prevalence carriage beta-hemolytic streptococci (BHS) incidence BHS culture-positive sore throat school aged children Fiji. Methods: conducted twice-weekly prospective surveillance 5 14 years 4 schools during 9-month period 2006, after an initial phase pharyngeal swabbing determine carriage. Results: enrolled 685 children. The GAS was 6.0%, while C (GCS) G (GGS) 6.9% 12%, respectively. There were 61 episodes equating 14.7 cases per 100 child-years (95% CI, 11.2–18.8). GCS/GGS 28.8 23.9–34.5). clinical nature more severe than culture-negative throat, overall mild compared with that found previous studies. Of 101 isolates emm sequence typed there 45 types no dominant types. very few commonly encountered industrialized nations only 9 this are included 26-valent vaccine undergoing trials. Conclusions: common expected. Group frequently isolated cultures, although their contribution infection not clear. molecular our differed greatly from has implications for research other tropical developing countries.