[Asymptomatic nephritis in relatives living with children with acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis].

We studied a group of 114 persons living together with children admitted in the hospital because of poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis; minute count of the urinary sediment, antistreptolysin 0 and throat culture were done. An increased was found in the urinary excretion of erythrocytes in 31% of the population studied; 71% showed a rise of serum antistreptolysin 0 and 9% showed beta hemolytic streptococci in their throat culture. It is important to search for these asymptomatic patients among relatives and follow their course; there is a possibility that some will developed chronic nephritis. It is also important to erradicate the streptococcal infection.