Streptococcal surveillance of two South Trinidad school populations: a preliminary report

ABSTRACT

An Intensive Streptococcal Surveillance of two South Trinidad Schools differing in topographical surroundings and ethnic composition has been done for five months. Throat and skin sore cultures were obtained from samples of children of volunteer families. Additional cultures were obtained from non-sample schoolmates who developed skin sores. The data and findings are as follows 1. Skin sores were found mainly on the extremities. 2. Males have more skin sores than females in a ratio of over 21 for males versus females. 3. The highest incidence of skin sores, was found in the five to six (5-6) year old population. 4. In the school sample 22.7 percent developed skin sore, 68.8 percent were positive for Beta-hemolytic Streptococci and 79.4 percent were Group-A. 5. 78.9 percent of all skin sores contained Beta-hemolytic Streptococci. 6. 77.3 percent of Beta-hemolytic Streptococci were Group-A. 7. The prevalence and incidence of skin sores, Beta-hemolytic Streptococci and Group-A Streptococci was highest at the end of December. (The end of the wet season). 8. 18.7 percent of the subject studied had Beta-hemolytic Streptococci in their throats; of these 25.4 percent were Group-A. 9. Of other streptococcal groups - throat cultures were high in Group-G while skin sores were high in Group-C. 10. The mean length of time that Beta-hemolytic Streptococci remained in skin sore was four (4) weeks. Sores themselves may be the reservoir for Group-A Streptococci. 11. The mean length of time that Beta-hemolytic Streptococci remained in the throat was two (2) weeks(Summary)