Group A streptococcal infection in an aboriginal community

Abstract

Objective: To determine whether group A streptococcal infection and poststreptococcal sequelae are still a significant health issue for Aboriginal communities.

Design: A cross-sectional survey of streptococcal carriage, infection and antibody levels.

Setting: A north Queensland Aboriginal community.

Participants: One hundred and twenty preschool and school-aged children (2 to 12 years of age) living in the Lockhart River Community on Cape York Peninsula.

Results: Pyoderma was present in 43% of the children and in 76% of these culture of skin lesions grew group A streptococci. Group A streptococci also grew from 13% of throat swabs, making a total of 36% of children culture positive. Anti-streptolysin O and anti-DNAase B levels were remarkably high and increased with age.

Conclusions: The evidence presented confirms a high level of group A streptococcal carriage and infection in children of the Lockhart River Community. Further investigation of this problem is warranted in other Aboriginal communities with a view to instituting appropriate control programs.