Abstract
Background: Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory reaction that can develop as a complication of a Group A streptococcal infection. The role of Group C (GCS) and Group G (GGS) in disease burden is under recognized the present study is carried out to find the prevalence of GAS, GCS and GCS in throat of rheumatic families.
Aim of Study: Isto explore the frequency of beta-hemolytic streptococci Group A, C and G in the tonsillopharyngeal flora of individuals of families with a case of rheumatic fever and/ or rheumatic heart disease.
Patients and Methods: This study was carried out on 20 families of children with rheumatic fever and/or rheumatic heart disease chosen from children attending to Pediatric Clinic at Tanta University Hospital and El-Menshawe General Hospital in Gharbia governorate ten families have animals (cattle and/or birds) and ten families have not. Ten healthy families enrolled as controls five families have animals (cattle and/or birds) and five families have not.
Results: In our study (20%) of children in rheumatic families (cases and siblings) less than 18 years and (15.63%) of children of controls in the same age group were GAS positive and GCS was present in (1.67%) and it is absent in children of controls. As regarding GGS (5%) of children in rheumatic families and (3.13%) of children of controls in the same age group were GGS positive.
Conclusion: Our study concluded that Group A beta hemolytic streptococci is the most prevalent type of beta hemolytic streptococci compared to Group C and G strepto-cocci in throat of children with ARF/RHD as well as their siblings.