[An outbreak of beta-hemolytic streptococcal caused tonsillitis in a hospital of Chengdu city].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate an outbreak of beta-hemolytic streptococcal tonsillitis in a hospital.

METHODS

A case-control study was conducted with a self-made questionnaire to collect the risk factors. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression model were used to explore the relationship between risk factors and morbidity.

RESULTS

74 cases were occurred during the outbreak with patients aged mainly between 20-30 and more females than males. Most cases appeared abrupt onset between Aug., 20-22. All the patients were hospital workers, with majority as nurses and doctors from the operating room, department of anesthesiology and surgical related departments (71.62%). All patients shared the same experience-eating lunch in the dining room on Aug 19(odds ratio 6.67, 95% confidence interval 1.92-23.23). Beta-hemolytic streptococci was observed from cultures of the throats from the patients.

CONCLUSION

The outbreak was an explosive epidemic of tonsillitis in a hospital, caused by beta-hemolytic streptococci. Food provided from the dining room attached to the operating theater on August, 19 seemed to be the risk factor.