EnglishStrep A pharyngitis
Group A Streptococcus is the most significant pathogen causing pharyngitis. Accurate diagnosis of the etiological agent is necessary to properly treat the disease. In the case of Group A Streptococcus, antibiotic therapy is the treatment of choice. If left untreated, serious sequelae such as rheumatic fever may occur.
Streptococcus pyogenes, also known as group A Streptococcus, contributes to 20 percent of infections of tonsillitis, pharyngitis, and scarlet fever and causes impetigo (pyoderma)1. It typically occurs in young children, and prevalence is high in schools, nursing homes, and hospitals4,5. Early diagnosis and treatment have been shown to reduce the severity of symptoms and to reduce further complications2. Left untreated, complications such as acute rheumatic fever, toxic shock-like syndrome and glomerulonephritis, may occur3.
1. Facklam FR, Carey RB. Streptococci and Aerococci. In: Lennette EH, Balows A, Hausler WJ, Shadomy HJ, eds. Manual of Clinical Microbiology, 4th edition. American Society for Microbiology. 1985:154-175.
2. Efstratiou A. (2000) Group A streptococci in the 1990s. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. 45,Topic T1, 3-12.
3. Adam D. (2000) Group A beta-haemolytic streptococcal (GABHS) tonsillopharyngitis is still a common problem. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. 45, Topic T1, 1-2.
4. Schwartz B., Elliot J.A., Butler J.C., Simon P.A., Jameson B.L., Welch G.E. & Facklam R.R. (1992) Clusters of Invasive Group A Streptococcal Infections in family, hospital and nurse home settings: Clinical infectious Diseases. 15, 277-84.
5. O’Brien K.L., Beall B., Barrett N.L., Cieslak P.R., Reingold A., Farley AM.M., Danila R., Zell E.R., Facklam R., Scwartz B. & Schuchat A. (2002) Epidemiology of Invasive Group A Streptococcus Disease in the United States, 1995-1999. Clinical Infectious Diseases. 35, 268-276.