Prevalence and characteristics of pharyngeal group A beta-hemolytic streptococci in US Navy recruits receiving benzathine penicillin prophylaxis.
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.
Heggie
A D
AD
Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH.
Jacobs
M R
MR
Linz
P E
PE
Han
D P
DP
Kaplan
E L
EL
Boxerbaum
B
B
D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D010401:Penicillin G Benzathine / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000382:microbiology; D010614:Pharynx / Q000382:microbiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012703:Serotyping; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014481:United States
D010401:Penicillin G Benzathine