Beta-haemolytic streptococci in school children 5-15 years of age with an emphasis on rheumatic fever, in the tri-island state of Grenada / Estreptococos Beta-hemolíticos en Escolares de 5 a 15 años de edad con Énfasis en la Fiebre Reumática en el Estado Triinsular de Granada

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of beta-haemolytic streptococci in the pharynx and antibodies to beta-haemolytic streptococci in school children 5-15 years of age in the tri-island state of Grenada Blood samples and throat swabs were obtained from 1388 school children, aged 5-15 years old attending randomly selected schools in each parish of the tri-island state of Grenada. Serum samples were subjected to antistreptolysin o testing (ASOT) while throat swabs were cultured on sheep blood agar plates. The prevalence of positive throat swab was 15.4 (95 CI = 13.4, 17.2). The rate was highest in St Patrick (21.8) and lowest in Carriacou (5.7). The prevalence of antibodies was 38.6 (95 CI = 37.6, 42.8). It was highest in St Patrick (54.4) and lowest in Petit Martinique (26.8). In St Patrick, males were significantly more likely than females to have a positive ASOT (p = 0.0084). In St George's, males were significantly more likely than females to have a positive throat culture (p = 0.0172). Thirty-four per cent of the positive cultures were type A, 10 were type C and 56 type G. The data illustrate that there is a high prevalence of beta-haemolytic streptococci in school children in certain parishes in Grenada. Public health measures should address prevention and control of beta3-haemolytic streptococcal infection in order to prevent the possible sequelae of this disease