The prevalence of group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus in healthy Turkish children in day-care centers in Ankara.
BACKGROUND
To investigate the carrier rates of group A beta-hemolytic Streptococci (GAS) in various seasons of the year in the upper respiratory tract of healthy children in day-care centers.


METHODS
In this descriptive study, a total of 1893 throat swabs obtained from healthy children 1-6 years old in 13 day-care centers were screened for beta-hemolytic Streptococci in Ankara, Turkey, between October 2003 and July 2005. Standard microbiological techniques were used for screening.


RESULTS
In this study, a total of 61 isolates of beta-hemolytic Streptococci were obtained. Of the isolates 75.4% were GAS. The rate of isolation was 1.03% in spring, 1.2% in summer, 2.26% in winter, and 4.08% in autumn.


CONCLUSIONS
The GAS carrier rate was the highest in autumn in healthy children. A low prevalence of GAS was observed in our country.
Sevinc
Irfan
I
Department of Microbiology, Maresal Cakmak Military Hospital, Erzurum, Turkey.
Enoz
Murat
M
D002353:Carrier State / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002656:Child Day Care Centers; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012621:Seasons; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes; D014421:Turkey