Group A streptococcal infection in an aboriginal community.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether group A streptococcal infection and poststreptococcal sequelae are still a significant health issue for Aboriginal communities.


METHODS
A cross-sectional survey of streptococcal carriage, infection and antibody levels.


METHODS
A north Queensland Aboriginal community.


METHODS
One hundred and twenty preschool and school-aged children (2 to 12 years of age) living in the Lockhart River Community on Cape York Peninsula.


RESULTS
Pyoderma was present in 43% of the children and in 76% of these culture of skin lesions grew group A streptococci. Group A streptococci also grew from 13% of throat swabs, making a total of 36% of children culture positive. Anti-streptolysin O and anti-DNAase B levels were remarkably high and increased with age.


CONCLUSIONS
The evidence presented confirms a high level of group A streptococcal carriage and infection in children of the Lockhart River Community. Further investigation of this problem is warranted in other Aboriginal communities with a view to instituting appropriate control programs.
Nimmo
G R
GR
Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba, QLD.
Tinniswood
R D
RD
Nuttall
N
N
Baker
G M
GM
McDonald
B
B
D000989:Antistreptolysin / Q000032:analysis; D002353:Carrier State / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010614:Pharynx / Q000382:microbiology; D011711:Pyoderma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D011793:Queensland / Q000453:epidemiology; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000095283:Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
D000989:Antistreptolysin