The incidence of Streptococcus pyogenes in throat and plaque cultures in cases with acute throat infections.

This study was performed on 50 children with clinically suspected streptococcal upper respiratory tract infection at Abu-El-Rich hospital. DMF and plaque indices were recorded for all cases. Plaque and throat swabs were taken from all patients and directly inoculated on sheep blood agar plates. Haemolytic streptococci were further identified presumptively using bacitracin. 34% of cases had Beta-haemolytic streptococci type A (streptococcus pyogenes) in throat and 8% of cases had the same bacteria in plaque as well. This emphasizes the importance of proper plaque control in children together with the prophylactic ten days of antibiotic treatment in cases with acute throat infection to avoid the development of rheumatic heart disease in children.