Long term observation on beta-hemolytic streptococci in institutions for handicapped preschool children. Streptococcal Diseases Study Group

Abstract

Studies on beta-hemolytic streptococci have been carried out in 2 institutions for handicapped preschool children during the last nine-year period from 1985 to 1993. These studies were based on continuous throat cultures, 4 to 12 times a year, from 244 children including Down's syndrome and mentally retarded children in K-institution (K), and from 134 including cerebral palsy and other cerebrospinal disorders in H-institution (H). A significant difference (p < 0.05) was demonstrated in the isolation rates between K (11.1%) and H (6.4%). In K, isolation rates of beta-hemolytic streptococci ranged from 0 to 43.5%, showing a higher rate in winter (16.5%) than in summer (6.6%), and elevated-isolation rates of homologous types were demonstrate four times during the study period; i.e., type T12 in '87, type T28 in '88, type T1 in '90 and '92. In H, on the other hand, no higher rates (as to group A) were observed in winter or summer. In relation to disorders of children, the rates were 12.6% in Down's syndrome (mean age 2.7y), 10.0% in mentally retarded children (3.9y) and 6.4% in cerebral palsy or others with cerebrospinal disorders (3.3y). Down's syndrome, the youngest group, revealed the highest isolation rate of beta-hemolytic streptococci. In only two cases isolated hemologous types detected were over two times continuously.