title: Recurrent pharyngitis in family of four. Household pet as reservoir of group A streptococci.
abstract: A frustrating clinical problem of recurrent streptococcal pharyngitis affected the clinical health, economic well-being, and social function of a family of four. Numerous attempts using conventional methods of treatment failed to permanently eradicate group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal infection from this family. Their pet dog was finally discovered to be a carrier of group A streptococci and was treated concurrently with all family members. Subsequently, no group A streptococcal infections recurred. This report illustrates the importance of detailed investigation of the patient's environment and contacts, including nonhuman contacts, in cases of recurrent infection with a streptococcal agent.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002353:Carrier State / Q000662:veterinary*; D002648:Child; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000635:transmission*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics; D012008:Recurrence; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000235:genetics / Q000635:transmission* / Q000662:veterinary; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015047:Zoonoses