Carriage of group a beta hemolytic streptococci in preschool centres

2SUMMARYGroup A Beta hemolytic streptococci (GABHS) are gram positive bacteriathat can easily be transmitted among humans that are their natural source and that arefrequently isolated as the causative organism of pharyngitis. Ratio of carries ofchildhood differs according to geographical regions and seasons.This study was performed with the purpose of determining the prevalence ofGABHS, which causes upper respiratory tract infections among children between 4-6years of age in Afyonkarahisar province.In the study, pharynx culture samples were collected from 1134 children, outof which 607 were boys, and 527 girls, out of the 1288 children in total 43 schools inthe city center of Afyonkarahisar province. Samples of pharyngeal smear collectedfrom these students were cultured in 5% sheep blood agar, and incubated for onenight in 37 ºC. GABHS were differentiated according to their hemolysis, colonizingand gram staining morphological characteristics, and also according to catalasenegative characteristics. GAHBS were identified with Bacitracin sensitivity and latexagglutination for definite diagnosis.In conclusion, it was found that GABHS prevalence among the students inpreschool educational institutions was 7.1%. It was seen that this ratio was 8.6% forthe children that people smoked in their homes, 13% in those have sleeping problemsat night, 10.7% in those with more than three siblings, and 7.9% in children of 6years of age. It was seen that GABHS carriership ratio in chlidren of mothersworking in health and education sectors and children of fathers working in healthsector were higher as compared to other occupational groups. It is suggested thatprofessions of parents could be a risk factor as regards GABHS carriership.Key Words: GABHS, Carriage, Preschool Centres.PDF created with pdfFactory trial version www.pdffactory.com