Background & Objectives: Pharyngitis and rheumatic fever due to beta hemolytic group A streptococci are among the chief health problems. Since the carriers play a major role in spread of infection within the family and school, and regarding the drug resistance, this study was carried out in order to determine the relative prevalence of pharyngeal colonization of group A streptococci among elementary school children and to investigate its drug resistance in Zahedan in 2002.
Materials & Methods: Pharyngeal samples of 555 healthy female and male students (non – symptomatic) were collected by sterile swab through stratified cluster sampling in winter. The specimens were then cultured in blood agar media and the isolated bacteria were tested for drug susceptibility. The results were analysed through 2 test.
Results: Prevalence of pharyngeal beta-hemolytic streptococcus was determined to be 10.1% (56 people ). Colonization rates were 10.17% and 15.1% in girls and boys respectively. Although infection rates varied in different school grades (grade one: 16.3%, grade two: 7.2%, grade three: 10%, grade four 6.3% and grade five 10.8%), 2 test did not show any significant difference. All isolated strains were susceptible to penicillin, erythromycin and cefexime.
Conclusion: The results suggest that more care be taken for children's health issues and preventive and control measures be planned regarding the disease and complications of beta hemolytic group A streptococci.