Prevalence and characteristics of pharyngeal group A beta-hemolytic streptococci in US Navy recruits receiving benzathine penicillin prophylaxis.

Abstract

US military recruits receive benzathine penicillin prophylaxis because of endemicity of group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal (GABHS) infections. GABHS prevalence in Navy recruits receiving single-dose benzathine penicillin prophylaxis was assessed during spring and fall 1989 by culturing throat specimens from randomly selected groups of approximately 230 men before and 2, 4, and 7 weeks after prophylaxis and from men with pharyngitis diagnosed at sick call. Of 60 GABHS isolates, 75% were serotype M-3. The pharyngitis rate increased from 0.18% in the spring to 1.55% in the fall with a concurrent increase in serotype M-3 prevalence from 35% to 91%. The GABHS prevalence rate was three- to fourfold lower after prophylaxis. There were no cases of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) despite predominance of M-3, a rheumatogenic serotype. It was concluded that penicillin prophylaxis continues to be effective for control of GABHS infections and prevention of ARF in Navy recruits.

• Authors: A D Heggie, M R Jacobs, P E Linz, D P Han, E L Kaplan, B Boxerbaum
• Journal: The Journal of infectious diseases (J Infect Dis) Vol. 166 Issue 5 Pg. 1006-13 (Nov 1992) ISSN: 0022-1899 [Print] United States
• PMID: 1402011 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Penicillin G Benzathine

Topics

• Drug Hypersensitivity
• Humans
• Male
• Military Personnel
• Penicillin G Benzathine (immunology, therapeutic use)
• Pharyngitis (microbiology)
• Pharynx (microbiology)
• Prevalence
• Serotyping
• Streptococcal Infections (epidemiology, microbiology, prevention & control)
• Streptococcus pyogenes (classification, isolation & purification)
• United States