title: Streptococcal perianal disease in children.
abstract: From October 1985 through June 1986, 31 children in a single pediatric practice were treated for perianal signs and symptoms associated with growth of group A beta-hemolytic streptococci from perianal cultures. Signs and symptoms included perianal dermatitis (90%), perianal itching (78%), rectal pain (52%), and blood-streaked stools (35%). Ages ranged from 7 months to 8 years mean 4.25 +/- 1.8 years). There were 24 boys (77%) and seven girls (23%). The 31 cases occurred in 19 families. Intrafamily spread was only to siblings and occurred in 50% of the possible situations. Direct perianal antigen studies had a sensitivity of 89% for predicting positive cultures. Four different T types of group A streptococci were isolated from these cases, but the T type within each family outbreak was identical except in one case. When group A streptococci were found in the pharynx (64% of patients), the T type of the pharyngeal and perianal isolates were identical. Treatment was usually with oral penicillin. Relapses occurred in 39%. Signs of cellulitis were absent in all 31 cases and, therefore, we suggest that the nomenclature for this entity be changed from streptococcal perianal cellulitis to streptococcal perianal disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Butterworth Hospital, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503.
authors.forename: N P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Kokx
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Comstock
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Facklam
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010502:Perineum; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000382:microbiology; D012874:Skin Diseases, Infectious / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial