Prevalence and predicting factors of Group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus carrier state in primary schoolchildren

Abstract

Introduction: Transmission of Group A Streptococcus from asymptomatic children to their surrounding carries a risk of acute rheumatic fever in susceptible people. Aim and Objectives: We aimed to investigate the prevalence and predictors of GAS carrier state and evaluate the antibiotic sensitivity pattern of GAS in Jakarta, Indonesia. Material and Methods: We enrolled 201 asymptomatic schoolchildren (6–12 years) using stratified random sampling from a primary school in Jakarta. None of the children had a history of rheumatic fever or rheumatic heart disease. All participants underwent physical examination, and laboratory tests include complete blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, antistreptolysin O titer, and throat swab culture. Results: The prevalence of GAS carrier was 13.9% (95% confidence interval: 9.2%–18.6%) in our study. On multivariate analysis, tonsillar enlargement was found to be the only predicting factor of GAS carrier (P = 0.03). GAS was sensitive to penicillin G, erythromycin, vancomycin, clindamycin, chloramphenicol, azithromycin, and tetracycline in 100%, 89%, 86%, 75%, 68%, 68%, and 32% of patients, respectively. Conclusion: The GAS carrier state is common among school-age children affecting approximately 13.9% children. Tonsillar enlargement is a significant finding predictive of GAS carrier state. All isolates are still sensitive to penicillin and mostly sensitive to erythromycin but are increasingly resistant to tetracycline.

Skrining Anti-Streptolisin O pada Anak Usia 3-15 Tahun di Wilayah Cimahi Tengah

“…Hal ini sejalan dengan penelitian Shalihat et al (2015) yang menyatakan bahwa sebanyak 108 (72,5%) penderita tonsilitis memiliki keluhan utama, yaitu nyeri atau sakit saat menelan. Adapun gejala lainnya yang dirasakan seperti demam, tidak enak badan, sakit kepala, nyeri otot dan persendian (Rahmadhany, Advani, Djer, Handryastuti, & Safari, 2021). Dengan keluhan tersebut, penyakit yang di alami mengarah pada Tonsilitis.…”