Abstract
The fifth and largest epidemic increase in acute glomerulonephritis (A.G.N.) in South Trinidad in twenty years developed in 1971. This was associated with the reappearance of M-type 55 strains of group-A streptococci in February of that year. After a period of increased incidence in the spring, A.G.N. became epidemic in the summer—598 patients being admitted to the San Fernando General Hospital between June 1 and Dec. 1. 742 patients were admitted during the year. The increased incidence of A.G.N. was preceded and accompanied by an outbreak of scabies in Trinidad. 55% of the patients with A.G.N. had scabies, while other types of skin lesions were present in 19%. Sixty-one families had more than one member with A.G.N., and scabies was common in these families. Group-A streptococci were isolated from 72% of the patients—332 strains from skin lesions and 279 strains from throat cultures. 182 patients had streptococci in both skin lesions and throat. Most of the streptococci were M-type 55. After intensive measures against scabetic infestation and treatment with penicillin of selected individuals, including infected members of patients' families, the epidemic ended in December without affecting the northern part of the island.
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