title: Beta-haemolytic streptococci in saliva.
abstract: Viable counts of beta-haemolytic streptococci per ml. of saliva were made in the following groups: (1) children with acute streptococcal sore throat, (2) children with acute non-streptococcal sore throat, (3) children who had no sore throat but were streptococcal throat carriers, (4) children who neither had a sore throat nor were streptococcal throat carriers.The mean counts from cases of streptococcal sore throat and from streptococcal carriers were respectively 1.4 x 10(6) and 2.5 x 10(5) per ml.In a comparison of the efficiency of the throat swab, sublingual swab and specimen of saliva in isolating beta-haemolytic streptococci from the upper respiratory tract, culture of saliva produced the best results.
mesh_terms: D000362:Agar; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D001769:Blood; D002353:Carrier State / Q000382:microbiology; D002648:Child; D005840:Gentian Violet; D006801:Humans; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000382:microbiology; D012463:Saliva / Q000382:microbiology*; D012703:Serotyping; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D000362:Agar; D005840:Gentian Violet