1. Prevalence and characteristics of pharyngeal group A beta-hemolytic streptococci in US Navy recruits receiving benzathine penicillin prophylaxis.
- Author
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Heggie AD, Jacobs MR, Linz PE, Han DP, Kaplan EL, and Boxerbaum B
- Subjects
- Drug Hypersensitivity, Humans, Male, Penicillin G Benzathine immunology, Pharyngitis microbiology, Prevalence, Serotyping, Streptococcal Infections epidemiology, Streptococcal Infections microbiology, Streptococcus pyogenes classification, United States, Military Personnel, Penicillin G Benzathine therapeutic use, Pharynx microbiology, Streptococcal Infections prevention & control, Streptococcus pyogenes isolation & purification
- 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.
- Published
- 1992
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