ABSTRACT

The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of group C and group G streptococci in children with acute tonsillopharyngitis.

A total of 200 children between 1-15 years of age with symptoms of acute tonsillopharyngitis were admitted to this study.

Throat culture samples collected from all of the patients were inoculated on to 5% blood agar. Beta hemolytic streptococci that had bacitracin resistance were grouped according to Lancefield latex agglutination.

Throat cultures resulted in group A streptococcus in 21% of the patients and group C streptococcus (GCS) in 3%, group B streptococcus in 2%, group F streptococcus in 2%, group G streptococcus (GGS) in 1%. There were no positive culture findings at children under four years of age. There were no difference between patients with positive culture findings of group C/G and group A streptococci in terms of age, symptoms and findings.

Although the rate of GGS and GCS is found to be lower than GAS in children with acute tonsillopharyngitis in this study, group G streptococci and group C streptococci may cause endemic or sporadic infections in children with acute tonsillopharyngitis.