title: Non-group A streptococci in the pharynx. Pathogens or innocent bystanders?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether beta-hemolytic streptococci from groups other than A are an important cause of sporadic pharyngitis in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional, case-referent survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  General pediatric clinic at a military base in Ohio.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred fifty children with symptomatic pharyngitis and 150 controls matched for age and time of presentation over a 20-month study period.
  
  
  METHODS
  None.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Anaerobic culture technique was used to improve isolation of beta-hemolytic streptococci. Group A beta-hemolytic streptococci were detected significantly more often among the ill children than among the controls (39% vs 16%, respectively). In contrast, non-group A beta-hemolytic streptococci were isolated in similar frequency from the ill and control children (17% vs 21%, respectively). Non-group A beta-hemolytic streptococci from groups B, C, F, and G were each isolated in similar frequency among the ill and control children. The isolation rate of non-group A organisms increased with age among both patients and controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Non-group A beta-hemolytic streptococci seemed not to be an important cause of sporadic pharyngitis in this pediatric population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Children's Medical Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville 22908.
authors.forename: G F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Hayden
authors.forename: T F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: J O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Hendley
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D010614:Pharynx / Q000382:microbiology; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000302:isolation & purification*