An outbreak of food-borne group A Streptococcus (GAS) tonsillopharyngitis among residents of a dormitory.
Epidemics of food-borne pharyngitis due to group A Streptococcus are rarely reported. Here we present an outbreak of food-borne tonsillopharyngitis in female dormitories in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Throat swabs and cultures were performed on a number of patients, and of specimens from the nasopharynx and hands of staff who were involved in food processing. We planned a case-control study for assessing the source of epidemics. 11 out of 17 throat swabs of students were positive for Streptococcus group A and also 2 throat samples from asymptomatic cooks were positive. A DNA fingerprinting study showed that Streptococcus group A strains of 11 students and 1 cook had the same T agglutination pattern and M protein factor (M3/T13). It is suggested that group A streptococci as well as group C and G streptococci can cause epidemic food-borne pharyngitis. Regular health surveillance of food handlers and food preparation processes are important for prevention of such outbreaks.
Sarvghad
M R
MR
Department of Infectious Diseases, Imam Reza General Hospital, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
Naderi
H R
HR
Naderi-Nassab
M
M
Majdzadeh
R
R
Javanian
M
M
Faramarzi
H
H
Fatehmanesh
P
P
D000328:Adult; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005260:Female; D005516:Food Microbiology; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013334:Students; D014069:Tonsillitis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D014495:Universities