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A one-year study of streptococcal infections and their complications among Ethiopian children

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

W. Tewodros*
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, and Child Health, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
L. Muhe
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
E. Daniel
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
C. Schalén
Affiliation:
Department of Medical Microbiology, Lund University, Sölvegatan 23, S-223 62, Lund, Sweden
G. Kronvall
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Microbiology, Karolinska Institute and Hospital, P.O. Box 60500, S-104 01, Stockholm, Sweden
*
*W. Tewodros. Department of Clinical Microbiology, Karolinska Institute and Hospital, P.O. Box 60500, S-104 01, Stockholm, Sweden
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Post-streptococcal complications are known to be common among Ethiopian children. Little is known, however, about the epidemiology of beta-haemolytic streptococci in Ethiopia. A total of 816 children were studied during a one-year period: 24 cases of acute rheumatic fever (ARF), 44 chronic rheumatic heart disease (CRHD), 44 acute post streptococcal glomerulonephritis (APSGN), 143 tonsillitis, 55 impetigo, and 506 were apparently healthy children. Both ARF and APSGN occurred throughout the year with two peaks during the rainy and cold seasons. The female: male ratio among ARF patients was 1·4:1 and 1:1·9 among APSGN. The monthly carrier rate of beta-haemolytic streptococci group A varied from 7·5–39%, average being 17%. T type 2 was the most frequent serotype. Marked seasonal fluctuations were noted in the distribution of serogroups among apparently healthy children. Beta-haemolytic streptococci group A dominated during the hot and humid months of February–May. Strains were susceptible to commonly used antibiotics, except for tetracycline.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1992

References

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