ABSTRACT
Group A ß-hemolytic streptococcus (GABHS) is the most important bacterial agent in the genesis of acute inflammatory conditions of the pharynx due to the possible development of local and systemic complications. During the seasonal increase of incidence of respiratory viral infections, the possibility of viral-bacterial co-infection is often not taken into account. AIM: Determine the incidence of GABHS in children with catarrhal symptoms (rhinorrhea, cough) and without them. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 69 children with signs of acute tonsillopharyngitis (ATP) in the first 2 days of the disease were examined. Patients were divided into 2 groups depending on the presence or absence of rhinorrhea and cough. All patients underwent a comprehensive otorhinolaryngological examination and bacteriological examination of smears from the surface of the posterior pharyngeal wall and lacunae of the tonsils. Obtained data was processed by basic statistical methods. RESULTS: Incidence of GABHS in children with ATP without catarrhal symptoms was 9.5%, with rhinorrhea and cough - 3.7%. Median age for the detection of GABHS in patients with ATP was 5.6 years. A statistically significant symptom of GABHS-positive patients in our study was the enlargement of the anterior cervical lymph nodes; plaques on the tonsils were found only in 20% of cases. CONCLUSION: GABHS is predominant in patients with ATP without catarrhal phenomena, however, the presence of rhinorrhea and coughing in a patient does not exclude the possibility of the presence of GABHS infection, therefore, patients with ATP should undergo an objective examination for GABHS.