STREPTOCOCCAL INFECTION IN A SCHOOL POPULATION: PRELIMINARY REPORT

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Abstract
An epidemiologic study of streptococcal infection was conducted among 1000 Philadelphia school children and family contacts after Nov., 1955 They were followed to determine the carrier rate, the rate of clinically manifest infection, and the effect of various programs of treatment with penicillin on both the carrier rate and the rate of infection. (1) In each of the school years, approximately 1.5 of the children had one or more positive cultures for beta-hemolytic streptococci, regardless of attempts to control carriers by penicillin treatment. (2) The rate of clinically manifest streptococcal infection remained relatively low in all schools, independent of the existing carrier rate or treatment programs instituted. (3) Relatively few of the children with respiratory symptoms had positive cultures for beta-hemolytic streptococci, and even in the group with positive cultures most of the children presented symptoms of undifferentiated respiratory-tract illness. (4) Most of the beta-hemolytic streptococci isolated were of group A, but many of these were untypable. (5) The poured-plate method of growing streptococci permitted a significantly higher recovery rate than did any enrichment method or direct-streaking method tried. (6) In view of the data presented in this preliminary report we question the efficacy of the currently popular programs based upon mass culturing of school children and penicillin treatment for those harboring streptococci in their throats.

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