Group A streptococcal throat colonization is a dynamic phenomenon

• Published in: Annals of tropical paediatrics Vol. 20; no. 1; pp. 16 - 21
• Main Authors: Dawson, K. P., Nsanze, H., Ameen, A. S., Mustafa, N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Leeds Taylor & Francis 01.03.2000; Maney; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Antigens, Bacterial - analysis; Bacterial diseases; Biological and medical sciences; Carrier State - microbiology; Child; Follow-Up Studies; Human bacterial diseases; Humans; Infectious diseases; Medical sciences; Pharynx - microbiology; Serotyping; Staphylococcal infections, streptococcal infections, pneumococcal infections; Streptococcal Infections - microbiology; Streptococcus pyogenes - classification; Streptococcus pyogenes - immunology; Streptococcus pyogenes - isolation & purification; Tropical medicine; Asia; United Emirates; Human; Healthy subject; Upper respiratory tract; Epidemiology; Infection; Streptococcaceae; School age; Streptococcal infection; Streptococcus A; Bacteriosis; Bacteria; Micrococcales; Child; Colonization
• ISSN: 0272-4936; 2046-9047; 1465-3281; 2046-9055
• DOI: 10.1080/02724930092011

In order to gain knowledge about the nature of group A streptococcal throat colonization of asymptomatic children, we studied a cohort of healthy children selected at random. Those with throat cultures positive for group A Streptococci (GAS) were followed for 5 weeks. Repeat throat swabs were obtained at weekly intervals for antigen detection and culture. GAS obtained were serotyped for T antigen. Twenty-two children were identified as having GAS and 50% had a positive antigen test and culture at least five times in 6 weeks. There was no consistent pattern in the typeable organisms. Most individuals had more than one T-type alternating with non-T-typeable organisms. We conclude that colonization may be a dynamic process involving numerous organism serotypes, which wax and wane.