title: [Childhood pharyngitis in Sfax (Tunisia): epidemiology and utility of a rapid streptococcal test].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The authors studied the epidemiology of pharyngitis in children and evaluated the contribution of a rapid streptococcal test.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective study was conducted from June 2007 to May 2008 in a primary health care institution (Policlinique de la Caisse Nationale de Sécurité Sociale) in Tunisia. Clinical findings were recorded; throat swabs were performed, and a rapid streptococcal test was made.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five hundred and four children were included in this study. The mean age was 5 years and 8 months. Culture was positive for group A streptococcus in 166 cases (32.9 %). Group A streptococcus was more frequently isolated in children aged 5 to 8 years. There was no difference in clinical features between groups of streptococcal and non-streptococcal pharyngitis. The sensitivity and specificity of the rapid test were respectively 93.2 and 95.3 %.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pharyngitis was of bacterial origin in one third of cases; among these, group A streptococcus was the most frequent bacterium. The rapid test is a quick and reliable tool for the diagnosis of pharyngitis and hence an appropriate treatment.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de microbiologie, CHU Habib Bourguiba, rue El Ferdaous, 3029 Sfax, Tunisie.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mezghani Maalej
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rekik
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boudaouara
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jardak
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Turki
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Arous
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chouchane
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Marrekchi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kassis
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hammami
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003124:Colorimetry / Q000379:methods; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007163:Immunosorbent Techniques; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011934:Reagent Strips; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014416:Tunisia / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D011934:Reagent Strips