Prevalence of Group A beta- hemolytic streptococcal carriers in school going children.

Group A Streptococci (GAS) are one of the common pathogens responsible for causing tonsillitis and pharyngitis in both children and young adults. The asymptomatic pharyngeal carriage of GAS in children may lead to spread of respiratory infection in the community. Children aged 5 to 15 years with no signs and symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections and no history of antibiotic therapy within last two weeks were included in study. Throat swabs collected were cultured on blood agar. GAS was identified by conventional method and serogrouped using latex agglutination assay. GAS was isolated from 7 children, out of 250 children. The carrier rate was 3.6% which correlated well with other South Asian studies. Our study showed the importance of surveillance programme to keep carriers in check.