Non-Group A Streptococci in the Pharynx

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether beta-hemolytic streptococci from groups other than A are an important cause of sporadic pharyngitis in children. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, case-referent survey. SETTING: General pediatric clinic at a military base in Ohio. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred fifty children with symptomatic pharyngitis and 150 controls matched for age and time of presentation over a 20-month study period. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS/MAIN RESULTS: Anaerobic culture technique was used to improve isolation of beta-hemolytic streptococci. Group A beta-hemolytic streptococci were detected significantly more often among the ill children than among the controls (39% vs 16%, respectively). In contrast, non-group A beta-hemolytic streptococci were isolated in similar frequency from the ill and control children (17% vs 21%, respectively). Non-group A beta-hemolytic streptococci from groups B, C, F, and G were each isolated in similar frequency among the ill and control children. The isolation rate of non-group A organisms increased with age among both patients and controls. CONCLUSIONS: Non-group A beta-hemolytic streptococci seemed not to be an important cause of sporadic pharyngitis in this pediatric population.