A three-year streptococcal survey among Singapore school children: Part II. Streptococcal infections.

The cumulative streptococcal pyoderma and pharyngitis rates of 491 children followed over a period of three years were 19.8 and 15.7% respectively. Streptococcal infections occurred more commonly in Malays, in children from families with monthly household incomes of less than $500/- and in those living in attap/zinc-roofed houses. During the three years, streptococcal pyoderma and pharyngitis rates varied from 1.6-5.3 and 0.4-4.3% respectively. Skin sores occurred most frequently on lower limbs. About one in six acquisitions of streptococci in throats was accompanied by clinical manifestations of respiratory infections. 90.9% of pyoderma cases responded to penicillin therapy. Penicillin was effective in eradicating group A streptococci from the throats of 84.6% of 136 children with previous positive cultures. The treatment schedule implemented for School C did not seem to reduce the streptococcal infection and carrier rates in that school to a great extent.