Prevalence of Beta-hemolytic Streptococcal Pharyngitis and McIsaac Scoring Among Children Attending a Primary Care Clinic in Malaysia

Background: Beta-hemolytic streptococci remained the important cause of acute bacterial pharyngitis. This study aims to determine the prevalence of beta-hemolytic Streptococcal pharyngitis and the correlation of positive throat culture with the clinical parameters. Materials and Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted involving 90 children from a primary health care clinic. Throat swab specimen was obtained from each child and sent to the microbiology laboratory for bacterial culture. McIsaac score was used as the scoring system for pharyngitis. Results: The majority of the children were boys (N=53, 58.9%) and most of the children belonged to the preschool age group (N=42, 46.7%). Throat culture was positive in 11 children. The prevalence of beta-hemolytic streptococcal pharyngitis was 12.2%. Group A and Group B Streptococci were isolated in 5 children each and one child had Group C streptococci. Positive throat culture was significantly correlated with the McIsaac score of at least 4 and the absence of cough (p<0.05). Conclusions: Non-GAS pharyngitis was slightly more common than GAS pharyngitis. McIsaac score of 4 and more is perhaps helpful to differentiate between bacterial and viral pharyngitis.

Automated summary

This study found that the prevalence of beta-hemolytic streptococcal pharyngitis was 12.2%, and positive throat culture was significantly correlated with a McIsaac score of at least 4 and the absence of cough.