Group A Beta-hemolytic Streptococci Research Articles

Streptococcal Serology in Children With Stuttering.

Introduction: Stuttering is a pronunciation disorder represented by repetitive perpetuations, duplications, or freezes of spoken words or syllables, as well as nervousness and cognitive shunning. Group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus (GABHS) can lead to pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infection (PANDAS). Many case reports have proposed that stuttering is the result of a PANDAS, and that it can be identified together with Tourette syndrome, which shares many clinical characteristics with stuttering. Aim: The purpose of this study was to examine the association between streptococcal serology and stuttering in children. Method: The participants in this study are 26 children who stutter (CWS; mean age = 8.3 + 3.1 years) and 25 children who do not stutter (CWNS; mean age = 9.2 + 2.9 years). Participants were matched in terms of age (±3 months) and gender. We analyzed serum antistreptococcal antibodies [antistreptolysin O (ASO), anti-deoxyribonuclease B (anti-DNase B), and antistreptokinase] in both groups. Results: In the CWS group, ASO, anti-DNase B, and antistreptokinase were significantly higher than in the CWNS group (P < .0001, P < .0001, P < .0001). Conclusion: The higher serum antistreptococcal antibody amounts in CWS suggest that an increased autoimmune response against GAHBS may be the etiology of childhood stuttering. It has been suggested that CWS should be examined for autoimmune reactions, especially to GAHBS.

Effect of tonsillectomy on ASO titre.

Background: Tonsillitis is one of the common clinical problems in Otolaryngology practice. Tonsillectomy is the preferable treatment for patients not responding to medical treatment. Many patients have increased Antistreptolysin O (ASO) titres which is caused by Group A Beta Haemolytic Streptococci (GABHS). Objectives: To determine the effect of tonsillectomy on ASO titre. Materials and Methods: A prospective study conducted in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal, Manipur, India for a period of 2 years from October 2014 to September 2016. 50 patients diagnosed as recurrent tonsillitis with raised ASO titre above 200 IU/ml and undergoing tonsillectomy were enrolled for the study. Results: Most of the patients were in the age group of 11-15 years with male to female ratio of 1: 1.63. One month after tonsillectomy 11 (22%) patients were negative for ASO titre. After 3 months, 6 months and 1 year follow up, patients whose ASO titre became negative were 34 (68%), 44 (88%) and 45 (90%) respectively. 72% patients had no episodes of sore throat after tonsillectomy. Conclusion: Tonsillectomy has a significant role in preventing or reducing recurrent streptococcal throat infections.

Different antibiotic treatments for group A streptococcal pharyngitis.

Different antibiotic treatments for group A streptococcal pharyngitis.

Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS): Myth or Reality? The State of the Art on a Controversial Disease.

Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS) syndrome is one of the most controversial diseases in pediatric rheumatology. Despite first being described more than 25 years ago as the sudden and rapid onset of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and/or tic disorder symptoms as complications of a Group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus (GAS) infection, precise epidemiological data are still lacking, and there are no strong recommendations for its treatment. Recent advances in the comprehension of PANDAS pathophysiology are largely attributable to animal model studies and the understanding of the roles of Ca++/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaM kinase) II, disrupted dopamine release in the basal ganglia, and striatal cholinergic interneurons. The diagnosis of PANDAS should be made after an exclusion process and should include prepubescent children with a sudden onset of OCD and/or a tic disorder, with a relapsing/remitting disease course, a clear temporal association between GAS infection and onset or exacerbation of symptoms, and the association with other neurological abnormalities such as motoric hyperactivity and choreiform movements. Antibiotic medications are the primary therapeutic modality. Nonetheless, there is a paucity of randomized studies and validated data, resulting in a scarcity of solid recommendations.

Evaluation of the Effect of Tonsillectomy on Antistreptolysin O (ASO) Titer

Background: Acute recurrent tonsillitis is a common problem worldwide and tonsillectomy is the preferable treatment for patients not responding to medical treatment. Many patients with acute recurrent tonsillitis and increased antistreptolysin O (ASO) titers are caused by group A beta hemolytic streptococcal (GABHS) tonsillitis, which can lead to serious side effects such rheumatic fever and glomerulonephritis. ‎&#x0D; Aim: To assess the consequence of tonsillectomy on ASO titer.&#x0D; Patients and Method: This prospective study was conducted to analyze the consequence of tonsillectomy on 43 patients with raised antistreptolysin O (ASO) titer out of 220 patients with acute recurrent tonsillitis, for the period from October 2015 to October 2016 at Otolaryngology department, Tertiary referring hospital at Erbil, Kurdistan/Iraq. Their Demographic characteristics, medical, drug and family history and disease extent were analyzed. Postoperative follow up were processed.&#x0D; Results: The study included 43 patients between 3 to 16 years suffering from acute recurrent tonsillitis, elevated ASO titer (≥200 IU/ml) and positive throat swab for GABHS were included in the study. Six months postoperatively had been shown that there is a significant reduction in ASO titer in comparison to preoperative measures (p &lt; 0.001) and this is also applicable to the number of sore throat episodes.&#x0D; Conclusion: The main conclusion from this study is significant effect of tonsillectomy on decreasing ASO titer which reveals the reduction in postoperative GABHS throat infection, this supported by reduction of postoperative sore throat episodes.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices of general practitioners and paediatricians towards Group A beta-haemolytic streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis: A cross-sectional study from Türkiye.

General practitioners (GPs) and paediatricians are very important in the management of sore throat in terms of providing correct diagnosis and treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes and practices of GPs and paediatricians towards Group A beta-haemolytic streptococcal (GABHS) tonsillopharyngitis. Three vignettes/case studies, in which the causative agents were GABHS, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and non-EBV viral infection, were presented as part of a questionnaire sent to paediatricians and GPs to elicit information regarding their diagnosis and treatment of tonsillopharyngitis. In all, 236 physicians responded to the questionnaire (126 paediatricians, 106 GPs). GPs registered more accurate diagnoses of GABHS tonsillopharyngitis and tended to administer more symptomatic treatment in the case of non-EBV tonsillopharyngitis than paediatricians. Paediatricians requested more tests in the diagnosis of GABHS tonsillopharyngitis than GPs. Most GPs and paediatricians possess adequate knowledge regarding GABHS diagnosis and the differential diagnosis of patients. Differences between the hospital and general practice settings may have affected the approach to symptomatic treatment and requesting tests.

Effect of Tonsillectomy on Antistreptolysin O (ASO) Titer

Abstract &#x0D; Recurrent attacks of tonsillitis are a common worldwide problem and the best treatment of choice after failure of medical therapy is a tonsillectomy. The large numbers of patients that presented with recurrent attacks of tonsillitis and associated with high antistreptolysin O (ASO) titer level due to group A beta hemolytic streptococcal (GABHS) tonsillitis will have serious complications as glomerulonephritis and rheumatic fever. The aim of study: to evaluate the effect of tonsillectomy on elevated ASO titer.&#x0D; Patients and methods: Prospective non-randomized clinical study was performed at Al-Jumhory teaching hospital, Mosul, Iraq; for the period from January 2021 to January 2022. that included seventy patients for whom tonsillectomy was indicated. There were 45 females and 25 males, the age range from 3 to15 years old and the mean age was7.63year. Positive throat swab for group A beta hemolytic streptococcal (GABHS) and elevated ASO titer level (≥200 IU/ml). Postoperative follow up of the patients were processed for six months.&#x0D; Results: seventy patients included in the study, presented with recurrent attacks of tonsillitis, with positive throat swab for GABHS and elevated ASO titer level (≥200 IU/ml), age between 3 to 15 years old .Follow up of the patients for six months after tonsillectomy had been shown that there is a significant decrease in ASO titer level in comparison to preoperative level measures (p &lt;0.001 )&#x0D; Conclusion: The most important conclusion from the result of our study that tonsillectomy lead to significant reduction in ASO titer level.

A critical appraisal of acute sore throat guidelines using the AGREE II instrument: a scoping review.

Conflicting international guidelines exist on the management of sore throat by antibiotics. To assess with the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II (AGREE) instrument the quality of guidelines for uncomplicated acute group A beta-haemolytic streptococcal (GABHS) sore-throat. To make a sensitivity analysis restricted to guidelines with a rigour of development score higher than 60% and to describe their recommendations on scores, tests, and antibiotic therapy, including their justification. A guideline literature review of acute GABHS sore throat, published between January 2000 and December 2019 in primary care and secondary care. The PubMed database, the Canadian Medical Association Infobase on Clinical Practice Guidelines and the International Network Guidelines were used. The quality of guidelines was assessed using the AGREE II instrument. The guidelines were classified into 2 categories: high-quality guidelines had to rate >60% for the rigour of development score, the others were classified as low-quality guidelines. Significant heterogeneity between the 15 guidelines concerned the scores of the 6 assessment domains. Among them, 6 guidelines presented a score above 60% with regards to the rigor of development domain and used a systematic literature search method, citing meta-analyses of recent randomised clinical trials. Most of the 6 high-quality guidelines no longer recommended the systematic use of diagnostic scores and tests, nor antibiotic therapy to prevent acute rheumatic fever or loco-regional complications, except for high-risk patients. Major discrepancies emphasise the need for only high-quality guidelines, based on adequately assessed evidence. Restricted antibiotic prescriptions to severe cases or high-risk patients would avoid antibiotic resistance.

Role of penicillin in the management of group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal pharyngitis

Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal (GABHS) infection is the most common bacterial cause of acute pharyngitis. GABHS is more commonly seen in the pediatric age group than in adults. The disease responds to antibiotics. Untreated GABHS leads to non-suppurative and suppurative complications. Penicillin is the drug of choice recommended by most guidelines. Most GABHS isolates are sensitive to penicillin including penicillin G. Penicillins play a very important role in preventing transmission rates of GABHS, resolution of symptoms, and prevention of GABHS complications. Intramuscular penicillin G benzathine is one of the treatment options for GABHS. Penicillin G potassium is a natural penicillin, with a narrow spectrum of activity, as is required for GABHS. This review aims to understand the role of penicillins in the treatment of GABHS and its complications.

Influence of a guideline or an additional rapid strep test on antibiotic prescriptions for sore throat: the cluster randomized controlled trial of HALS (Hals und Antibiotika Leitlinien Strategien)

BackgroundPharyngitis due to Group A beta-hemolytic streptococci (GAS) is seen as the main indication for antibiotics for sore throat. In primary care settings prescription rates are much higher than the prevalence of GAS. Recommendations in international guidelines differ considerably. A German guideline suggested to consider antibiotics for patients with Centor or McIsaac scores ≥ 3, first choice being penicillin V for 7 days, and recommended analgesics for all. We investigated, if the implementation of this guideline lowers the antibiotic prescription rate, and if a rapid antigen detection strep-test (RADT) in patients with scores ≥ 3 lowers the rate further.MethodsHALS was an open pragmatic parallel group three-arm cluster-randomized controlled trial. Primary care practices in Northern Germany were randomized into three groups: Guideline (GL-group), modified guideline with a RADT for scores ≥ 3 (GL-RADT-group) or usual care (UC-group). All practices were visited and instructed by the study team (outreach visits) and supplied with material according to their group. The practices were asked to recruit 11 consecutive patients ≥ 2 years with an acute sore throat and being at least moderately impaired. A study throat swab for GAS was taken in every patient. The antibiotic prescription rate at the first consultation was the primary outcome.ResultsFrom October 2010 to March 2012, 68 general practitioners in 61 practices recruited 520 patients, 516 could be analyzed for the primary endpoint. Antibiotic prescription rates did not differ between groups (p = 0.162) and were about three times higher than the GAS rate: GL-group 97/187 patients (52%; GAS = 16%), GL-RADT-group 74/172 (43%; GAS = 16%) and UC-group 68/157 (43%; GAS = 14%). In the GL-RADT-group 55% of patients had scores ≥ 3 compared to 35% in GL-group (p < 0.001). After adjustment, in the GL-RADT-group the OR was 0.23 for getting an antibiotic compared to the GL-group (p = 0.010), even though 35 of 90 patients with a negative Strep-test got an antibiotic in the GL-RADT-group. The prescription rates per practice covered the full range from 0 to 100% in all groups.ConclusionThe scores proposed in the implemented guideline seem inappropriate to lower antibiotic prescriptions for sore throat, but better adherence of practitioners to negative RADTs should lead to fewer prescriptions.Trial registrationDRKS00013018, retrospectively registered 28.11.2017.

Assessment of adherence to guidelines for testing and treatment of pharyngitis among children in Palestine: A retrospective review study.

One of the most common reasons for pediatric outpatient visits is acute pharyngitis, an upper respiratory tract infection. Bacterial pharyngitis is caused by Group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus (GABHS), also known as Streptococcus pyogenes. This research aimed to assess physicians' adherence to clinical guidelines for diagnosis, management, and selecting appropriate treatment for children suspected of bacterial pharyngitis. A retrospective, observational study was conducted by reviewing patient charts for childred aged 3 to 13 years old diagnosed with pharyngitis from June 2019 until December 2019 at the Emergency Department of Palestine Medical Complex (PMC). The Modified Centor score, throat swab collections, and assessment of antimicrobial selection were used to assess the extent of physicians' adherence to clinical guidelines for appropriate diagnosis and management of pharyngitis. SPSS was used for data analysis. Out of 290 cases diagnosed with acute pharyngitis, 217 patients (74.8%) had a Modified Centor score of ≥2; 126 received antibiotics, and eight had their throat swabbed to confirm the diagnosis; furthermore, 73 patients (25.2%) had a Modified Centor score of <2; 34 of them received antibiotics. Azithromycin was the most commonly prescribed antibiotic (41.3%), followed by amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (38.1%). The frequency of empirical antibiotics prescribing was significantly higher among children with a Centor score >2, older children, and those presenting with fever. Most cases were not appropriately tested to confirm the diagnosis of bacterial pharyngitis and were mostly treated with inappropriate antimicrobial agents such as azithromycin. Nonadherence to clinical guidelines is very evident in this study.

Infections and obsessive-compulsive disorder - results from a systematic review and meta-analysis

IntroductionObsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric disorder affecting 1.3% of the population worldwide where both genetic and environmental factors, such as perinatal events and neuroinflammation, are thought to contribute to the etiology of the disorder. In the past, the description of clinical entities such as Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS), in which an acute neuropsychiatric syndrome with prominent obsessive-compulsive features emerges in children infected with group-A beta-hemolytic streptococcus (GABHS), sparked the hypothesis that infections may be a risk-modifying factor for the development of OCD. Along with streptococcal infections, other pathogens such as Toxoplasma gondii have been implicated in the pathophysiological models of the disorder, although causal associations have not been established for any of beforementioned pathogens.ObjectivesTo perform a systematic review and meta-analysis about the presence of biological evidence of infection in patients diagnosed with OCD.MethodsWe conducted a systematic review and a meta-analysis (PROSPERO registration CRD42021223415) by performing a standardized electronic database search in MEDLINE/PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and Scopus. Search was conducted on 17/10/2022. Eligible papers included case-control and cohort studies using a comparator group, that tested for specific biomarkers providing evidence of infection in patients diagnosed with OCD; exclusion criteria included studies without quantitative or qualitative measures of infection, case reports, systematic or scope reviews, and animal studies. Selection process was conducted according to PRISMA 2020 statement guidelines. Study quality was assessed through Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale.ResultsWe identified 8911 records through the search after duplicate removal. A total of 22 studies met inclusion criteria after selection process, and 15 were eligible for meta-analysis. Most evidence concerned Toxoplasma gondii (10 studies), and patients with OCD appear to have higher odds of being infected compared to controls, with a meta-analytic odds ratio of 2.39 (95% IC 1.60-3.58), when comparing 467 patients with 5411 controls. However, most studies were methodologically heterogeneous, which compromises the interpretation of meta-analytic results. Information regarding other agents, including GABHS, Borna disease virus and Toxocara canis was gathered but due to an insufficient number of papers it was not possible to perform a meta-analysis for each of them.ConclusionsOur work suggests that albeit exhaustively reported in the literature, there is no strong evidence of the over-representation of biomarkers of infection in patients with OCD compared to control volunteers. Methodologically robust studies are needed to further test this hypothesis.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

The Epidemiology of Influenza Virus Infection and Group A Streptococcal Pharyngitis in Children Between 2011 and 2018 in an Outpatient Pediatric Clinic.

Background The frequency of influenza virus infections and group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus (GAS) pharyngitis varies according to populations. We aimed to investigate the frequency of influenza virus and streptococcal pharyngitis infections in a pediatric outpatient cohort with many pediatric admissions in Istanbul. Materials and methods Children with upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) symptoms between 2011 and 2018 who underwent rapid diagnostic tests for influenza virus or streptococcal infection were evaluated retrospectively. Results Thetotal number of pediatric cases admitted between 2011 and 2018 was 185,228, of which 119,928 were under five years oldand 66,300 were children over five years old. The mean frequency of the influenza virus was 1,283 per 100,000 children, and the mean frequency of streptococcal pharyngitis was 1,764 per 100,000 children. The frequency of influenza has increased over the years. The frequency of streptococcal infection is higher in children over five years of age, and its frequency has decreased in this group. Conclusions Thefrequency of influenza virus infection and GAS pharyngitis varies according to years and seasons. Winter and spring were the seasons with the most frequent positive influenza virus and GAS pharyngitis. Although influenza frequency increased annually, this phenomenon was not observed in the frequency of GAS pharyngitis.

Bullous scabies, the light shed on etiopathogenesis and treatment: report of five paediatric cases.

Bullous scabies (BS) is an infrequent and atypical presentation of scabies, with a predilection for elderly males. The mechanism of BS is not fully understood; superinfection, friction due to pruritus, autoeczemation, direct injury from mite's lytic enzymes, cross-reactivity of scabies protein with basal membrane zone antigens are considered to be possible reasons. To define clinical features of paediatric BS cases, which is an extremely rare subtype of scabies. This is a retrospective study of paediatric BS cases seen at two tertiary care centres. Previously described bacterial culture, antibiogram and follow-up records were investigated retrospectively. Confirmed scabies cases, according to the "International Alliance for the Control of Scabies (IACS)" with bullae were included. All cases were treated with 10% sulfur ointment for 3 consecutive days, two cycles. Households of cases were also treated simultaneously. Systemic antibiotics were added to patients with elevated acute phase reactants according to the antibiogram results. Informed consent was obtained from patients' parents. Five BS cases were included. Three cases were male, two cases were female. Four cases had staphylococcus aureus, one had group-A beta haemolytic streptococcus positive bullae culture. All cases achieved a rapid complete resolution of symptoms after topical 10% sulfur ointment. Paediatric BS is an extremely rare entity of scabies. Bacterial superinfection plays a key role in bullae formation. 10% sulfur ointment is a highly effective treatment option for paediatric BS.

Foodborne streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis outbreak in a hospital.

Group A beta-haemolytic streptococci (GAS), which are responsible for most cases of acute bacterial tonsillopharyngitis, are transmitted from person to person and may rarely cause foodborne outbreaks. This study aims to report the epidemic caused by GAS in our hospital and to draw attention to the explosive outbreaks of the bacteria. Acute tonsillopharyngitis was seen in 201 of 450 hospital employees who ate in the hospital cafeteria on 4-5 June 2015. GAS was detected in 106 (68%) of 157 cases and in 40 (63.5%) of 62 throat culture samples. The attack rate was 44.7%. The most suspected source of the outbreak was a food handler who had been showing signs of streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis for six days, and perhaps the food prepared by these staff. It should not be forgotten that GAS can cause explosive outbreaks by infecting food through hand lesions or mouth secretions of food service personnel.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of House Officers to the Diagnosis and Management of Bacterial Pharyngitis: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study.

Pharyngitis is one of the most common clinical presentations in pediatric clinics. Streptococcal pharyngitis reaches a nadir in the early school years, and it is vital to diagnose it earlyto avoid the serious complications that can arise from improper treatment, such as acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease. This is a cross-sectional multicenter study of medical house officers conducted from January to February 2018. This study surveyed 135 house officers at Khartoum's primary health centers and hospitals. Most of the respondents were males (76/135;56%). Most of the house officers reported seeing patients with throat complaints 1-2 times per week (58/135; 43%). The most common complication was acute rheumatic fever (65/135; 48%). Out of all the criteria of a Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus (GAS) pharyngitis diagnosis, absence of cough and tender lymph nodes were the least recognized by house officers, i.e. 11.9%(16/135) and 45.2% (61/135), respectively. Only (4/135) 3% knew the full criteria for diagnosing bacterial pharyngitis. Throat culture was the most commonly used lab test to diagnose bacterial pharyngitis (115/135; 85.2%). The majority of participants did not recognize an IM injection of benzathine penicillin G as the first-line management of bacterial pharyngitis (101/135; 74.8%). The participants had moderate knowledge (93/135; 68.9%). Those with poor knowledge also happened to have poor practice (p = 0.009). Those who see more cases per week were also more likely to have good knowledge (p = 0.000). House officers with a moderate attitude constituted about 48.9%(66/135) of the whole sample. The most often prescribed medication was amoxicillin-clavulanic acid for one week (53/135; 39.3%). The practice score was associated with a lower knowledge (p = 0.009). Only 20.7%(28/135) of the participants in our study were adherent to the use of benzathine penicillin G as the first-line management of bacterial pharyngitis. House officers had poor-to-moderate knowledge regarding the diagnosis and management of bacterial pharyngitis, especially in regardto what antibiotic to use. However, their fear of antibiotic resistance was a good behavior.

Respiratory microorganisms in acute pharyngitis patients: Identification, antibiotic prescription patterns and appropriateness, and antibiotic resistance in private primary care, central Malaysia.

Acute pharyngitis (AP) is a common reason for private primary care consultations, thus providing an avenue for widespread antibiotic intake among the community. However, there is limited data on the antibiotic prescription appropriateness and resistance information in the Malaysian private primary care setting, therefore, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence of isolated viruses and bacteria, antibiotic resistance patterns, antibiotic prescription patterns and appropriateness by general practitioners (GPs) and factors affecting antibiotic resistance and antibiotic prescription patterns. To investigate, a cross-sectional study was conducted among 205 patients presenting with AP symptoms at private primary care clinics in central Malaysia from 3rd January 2016 to 30th November 2016. Throat swabs were collected from 205 AP patients for two purposes: (i) the detection of four common respiratory viruses associated with AP via reverse-transcription real-time PCR (qRT-PCR); and (ii) bacterial identification using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Bacterial isolates were then subjected to antibiotic susceptibility screening and McIsaac scoring was calculated post-prescription based on GP selection of criteria. Generalized estimating equations analysis with multiple logistic regression was conducted to identify factors associated with presence of virus and antibiotic prescription. The results showed that 95.1% (195/205) of patients had at least one of the four viruses, with rhinovirus (88.5%) being the most prevalent, followed by adenovirus (74.9%), influenza A virus (4.6%) and enterovirus (2.1%). A total of 862 non-repetitive colonies were isolated from the culture of throat swabs from 205 patients who were positive for bacteria. From a total of 22 genera, Streptococcus constitutes the most prevalent bacteria genus (40.9%), followed by Neisseria (20%), Rothia (13.0%), Staphylococcus (11%) and Klebsiella (4.9%). Only 5 patients carried group A beta-hemolytic streptococci (GABHS). We also report the presence of vancomycin-resistant S. aureus or VRSA (n = 9, 10.1%) among which one isolate is a multidrug-resistant methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MDR-MRSA), while 54.1% (n = 111) were found to carry at least one antibiotic-resistant bacteria species. Application of the McIsaac scoring system indicated that 87.8% (n = 180) of patients should not be prescribed antibiotics as the majority of AP patients in this study had viral pharyngitis. The antibiotic prescription appropriateness by applying post-prescription McIsaac scoring was able to rule out GABHS pharyngitis in this sample with a GABHS culture-positive sensitivity of 40% (n = 2/5) and specificity of 90% (180/200). In conclusion, antibiotic-resistant throat isolates and over-prescription of antibiotics were observed and McIsaac scoring system is effective in guiding GPs to determine occurrences of viral pharyngitis to reduce unnecessary antibiotic prescription.

Ten-year prevalence of acute hospital ENT infections and the impact of COVID: A large population study.

BackgroundAcute ear, nose and throat (ENT) infections were the commonest referrals from accident and emergency to ENT services. The referral rate changed dramatically with season, year, national outbreaks and during the COVID pandemic.MethodRetrospective longitudinal study of the epidemiology of seven acute ENT infections in secondary care over 10 years. A mixed city and rural population of over 650 000 in central England was studied. The risk factors for each wave of infection during the surge of infection were sought. A statistical analysis of their significance was undertaken. This included analysis and correlation of group A‐beta haemolytic streptococcus (GABHS) in hospital and community. Seasonal variations, hospital admissions and the impact of the COVID were analysed.ResultsThere were 16 883 reported cases of the seven index ENT infections during the 10‐year period. Great seasonal and year‐to‐year variations were recorded. There was an incremental rise in 2018. Spring had the highest season of acute ENT infections. An outbreak of GABHS was noted in the community in 2014. The mean duration of hospital admission was 1.5 days. There was no statistical ethnic or gender predominance. A dramatically lower number of acute ENT infections were recorded during the COVID‐19 pandemic, and this continued after lifting of lockdown restrictions.ConclusionA resurgence in scarlet fever directly and indirectly contributed to an incremental rise in acute ENT infections in the following years. Both hospital and community B‐haemolytic cultures have declined during the COVID‐19 pandemic due to a reduction in infections as opposed to reduced case ascertainment.

Back to the Future: The Role of Infections in Psychopathology. Focus on OCD.

ObjectiveRecently, there has been a resurgence of interest in the relationship between infections and psychopathology, given the increasing data on the neurotropism and neurological/psychiatric morbidity of the SARS-COV2 virus, responsible for the current worldwide pandemic. Although the majority of observations were those obtained in mood and schizophrenic disorders, a few data are also available on the presence of bacterial or viral infections in patients suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Therefore, given the limited information, the present paper aimed at reviewing the most updated evidence of infections in neuropsychiatric disorders and their possible mechanisms of actions, with a narrow focus on microbes in OCD.MethodThis paper is a narrative review. The databases of PubMed, Scopus, Embase, PsycINFO and Google Scholar were accessed to research and collect English language papers published between 1 January 1980 and 31 December 2021. The data on PANDAS/PANS and those observed during severe brain infections were excluded.ResultsSeveral pathogens have been associated with an increased risk to develop a broad spectrum of neuropsychiatric conditions, such as schizophrenia, mood disorders, autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, anorexia nervosa, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Some evidence supported a possible role of infections also in the pathophysiology of OCD. Infections from Herpes simplex virus 1, Borna disease virus, Group A-Beta Hemolytic Streptococcus, Borrelia spp., and Toxoplasma gondii were actually found in patients with OCD. Although different mechanisms have been hypothesized, all would converge to trigger functional/structural alterations of specific circuits or immune processes, with cascade dysfunctions of several other systems.ConclusionsBased on the current evidence, a possible contribution of different types of microbes has been proposed for different neuropsychiatric disorders including OCD. However, the currently available literature is meager and heterogeneous in terms of sample characteristics and methods used. Therefore, further studies are needed to better understand the impact of infectious agents in neuropsychiatric disorders. Our opinion is that deeper insights in this field might contribute to a better definition of biological underpinnings of specific clinical pictures, as well as to promote psychiatric precision medicine, with treatments based on altered pathological pathways of single patients. This might be particularly relevant in OCD, a disorder with a high proportion of patients who are resistant or do not respond to conventional therapeutic strategies.

Accuracy of Centor scoring system in diagnosing group a-beta haemolytic streptococcal (GABHS) infection

ABSTRACTBackground: At present, the standard examination for diagnosing streptococcal upper respiratory tract infection is throat culture. As throat culture is time-consuming and relatively expensive, efforts are made to develop certain criteria that will still lead to proper diagnosis and rational use of antibiotics, that is Centor score. Even so, the accuracy of Centor score is still debatable. Purpose: To provide evidence on the accuracy of Centor scoring system compared to throat culture in diagnosing GABHS upper respiratory tract infection. Case Report: A 25-years old male came to primary health care with primary complain of sore throat. Centor score was used to diagnose GABHS infection and as a guide to give antibiotics. Clinical question: “In patients with sore throat, how accurate is the Centor score compared to throat culture in diagnosing Group A Beta-Haemolytic Streptococcal (GABHS) Infection?” Methods: Literature searching was conducted through 4 databases. Critical appraisal based on the Centre of Evidence-Based Medicine (CEBM)-University of Oxford University, Diagnostic Critical Appraisal Sheet and Systematic Review Sheet. Results: All the selected studies were considered valid. They revealed a high specificity, low sensitivity, high negative predictive value (NPV), and low positive predictive value (PPV) in the importance aspect assessment. The Centor scoring system was applicable to our patient. It was available, affordable, and accurate in adult patients, yet less accurate in children. Conclusion: In conclusion,Patient with sore throat and suspicion of GABHS infection could be diagnosed with Centor scoring system as the first line diagnosis in primary care and as a guide to whether to give giving antibiotics or not.ABSTRAKLatar belakang: Saat ini, kultur tenggorok merupakan pemeriksaan baku emas yang digunakan untukmendiagnosis infeksi saluran napas atas yang disebabkan oleh bakteri Streptococcus. Namun, kulturtenggorok merupakan pemeriksaan yang mahal dan hasilnya memakan waktu yang lama, sehinggaberbagai kriteria dikeluarkan untuk dapat dipakai sebagai alat diagnostik dan sebagai panduanpenggunaan antibiotik yang rasional pada kasus infeksi saluran napas atas. Salah satunya yaitu Centorscore, tetapi akurasinya masih kontroversial. Tujuan: Menyediakan laporan kasus berbasis buktiterhadap akurasi dari Centor score sebagai alat diagnostik infeksi saluran napas atas yang disebabkanoleh bakteri Streptococcus dibandingkan dengan pemeriksaan kultur tenggorok. Laporan kasus: Seorang laki-laki berusia 25 tahun datang ke fasilitas kesehatan tingkat pertama dengan keluhan utama nyeri tenggorokan. Centor score digunakan untuk mendiagnosis pasien ini dan sebagai panduan pemberian antibiotik. Pertanyaan klinis: Pada pasien dengan radang tenggorok,seberapa akurat Centor score dibandingkan dengan kultur tenggorok dalam diagnosis GABHS? Metode: Pencarian literatur dilakukan melalui 4 database dan telaah kritis literatur menggunakan tilikan dari CEBM, University of Oxford University. Hasil: Seluruh studi yang ditelaah valid. Seluruh studi menunjukkan spesifisitas dan negative predictive value (NPV) yang tinggi, serta sensitivitas dan positive predictive value (PPV) yang rendah. Centor score dapat diaplikasikan untuk pasien pada skenario klinis karena bersifat mudah digunakan, biaya yang dikeluarkan terjangkau, dan akurat khususnya pada pasien dewasa. Kesimpulan: Pasien dengan nyeri tenggorok yang dicurigai memiliki infeksi saluran napas atas yang disebabkan oleh bakteri Streptococcus dapat ditegakkan diagnosisnya melalui penilaian Centor score di fasilitas layanan tingkat pertama, serta dapat menjadi panduan dalam pemberian antibiotik.