The Incidence of Group A Beta Hemolytic Streptococci in Throat Specimens from Upper Respiratory Infections

İrfan Sevinç ,Murat Enöz

doi:10.14712/18059694.2017.92

İrfan Sevinç , Murat Enöz

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.14712/18059694.2017.92

Copy DOI

Abstract

The aim of the study is researching the incidence of group A beta hemolytic streptococci (GABHS) in upper respiratory tract infections in Turkey. This is a descriptive study. Totally, 3964 throat swabs obtained from patients with upper respiratory tract infections were cultured for isolation of GABHS in Corlu Military Hospital, Department of Microbiology, between April 2002 and April 2004. Standard microbiological techniques were used in the screening. In this study, GABHS were isolated from 230 (5.80%) of 3964 patients. The rate of isolation was 79 (5.65%)/914 in 2002 year, 103 (5.55%)/1857 in 2003 year, and 48 (6.77%)/709 in 2004 year. The rate of isolation was 50 (5.47%)/914 in the spring, 21 (3.21%)/642 in the summer, 49 (5.81%)/844 in the autumn, and 110 (7.03%)/1564 in the winter. We found that the overall incidence of GABHS in respiratory tract infections (5.80%) was lower than other studies and the incidence was the highest in the winter.

Highlights

Upper respiratory tract infections are the most frequent infectious diseases in humans
A positive culture does not differentiate between acute infection and asymptomatic carriage, the degree of positivity of the throat culture and clinical symptoms may assist in making this differentiation [1]
With Institutional Review Board approval, a total of 3964 throat swabs obtained from patients with upper respiratory tract infections were cultured for isolation of group A betahemolytic streptococci in the Corlu Military Hospital, Department of Microbiology, between April 2002 and April 2004

Summary

Introduction

Upper respiratory tract infections are the most frequent infectious diseases in humans. Group A beta hemolytic streptococci (GABHS) are the most common etiologic factors of bacterial pharyngitis. Some strains of GABHS can enter respiratory epithelial cells. Delayed or inadequate treatment of streptococcal pharyngitis can cause serious subsequent complications. GABHS causes immune-mediated disorders such as acute rheumatic fever and acute glomerulonephritis [1]. A positive culture does not differentiate between acute infection and asymptomatic carriage, the degree of positivity of the throat culture and clinical symptoms may assist in making this differentiation [1]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion