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Group C beta-hemolytic streptococci causing pharyngitis and scarlet fever.

After a young woman had scarlet fever associated with group C beta-hemolytic streptococcal pharyngitis, we reviewed all cases of pharyngitis treated at a student health clinic during that semester. From 541 cases of pharyngitis, 34 cultures yielded group C Streptococcus. The patients who harbored group C organisms were similar to the patients with group A streptococcal pharyngitis in the presence of fever, exudate, and cervical adenopathy. The severity of symptoms and the demonstration of scarlet fever developing from infection with this organism supports antibiotic treatment of patients with group C streptococcal pharyngitis.

Adult↗

Group A streptococcal pharyngitis in adults 30 to 65 years of age.

BACKGROUND: Although the frequency of group A streptococcal pharyngitis in adults is assumed to be low, there is little information on frequency other than in military populations. METHODS: A prospective, observational study was done to determine the frequency of group A streptococcal pharyngitis in adults seen in the emergency department. Throat swabs were obtained on adults (30 to 65 years of age) with sore throat and pharyngitis on examination. Swabs were also obtained in a group of control subjects. RESULTS: Of the 148 adults with pharyngitis, 65 (44%) had throat specimens positive for group A streptococci. In the 50 control subjects, all throat cultures were negative for group A streptococci. A significant number of patients with group A streptococcal pharyngitis had school-aged children at home. CONCLUSION: The high rate of detection of group A streptococci in adults outside the military has not been previously reported.

Adult↗

Age influences the emm type distribution of pediatric group A streptococcal pharyngeal isolates.

BACKGROUND: emm types 12, 1, 28, 3, 4, 2 and 6 (in that order) are the types most commonly associated with uncomplicated group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis in the United States, together accounting for approximately 78% of isolates. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the distribution of common pharyngeal group A streptococcal GAS types differs at various ages throughout childhood. STUDY DESIGN: We emm typed 3356 GAS isolates collected from the United States and Canada during 3 streptococcal seasons (2000-2003). Variations in prevalence by age for the 7 most prevalent emm types and the "uncommon" category (all types accounting for <5% of the total number of isolates) were analyzed and assessed for significance by chi2. RESULTS: The proportion of uncommon isolates increased significantly with increasing age from 18% in group 1 to 37% in group 4 (P = 0.001). We found a significant decrease in the proportion of the common pharyngeal emm types, specifically emm 12 and emm 4 type isolates, with increasing age (P = 0.001 and P = 0.003, respectively); there was no significant decline in the prevalence of other common pharyngeal types (emm 1, 2, 3, 6 and 28) with increasing age. CONCLUSION: Age-related changes in emm type distribution of pharyngeal GAS are present in childhood; these changes may reflect acquisition of immunity to more common types as a consequence of exposure early in life, but this remains to be demonstrated.

Adolescent↗

A pilot study of 1 versus 3 days of dexamethasone as add-on therapy in children with streptococcal pharyngitis.

BACKGROUND: Studies in adults, but not in children, have shown a beneficial effect of one dose of steroid on the severity and duration of throat pain in acute pharyngitis. The effectiveness of longer steroid treatment has not been evaluated in children. METHODS: We performed a randomized, double-blind, 3-arm, placebo-controlled trial to estimate the effectiveness of one dose versus 3 daily doses of oral dexamethasone in the treatment of 4- to 21-year-old patients with group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal (GABHS) pharyngitis. Participants used the Wong-Baker FACES scale to rate their symptoms at enrollment and twice daily for 5 days. Patient-completed diaries and telephone interviews provided follow-up data. Primary end points-severity of throat pain, improvement in general condition and improvement in activity level-were evaluated by survival analysis. RESULTS: Ninety patients were enrolled. For each end point, we rejected the null hypothesis of a common survival experience for the 3 study arms. With the exception of 2 days for throat pain in participants receiving one dose of dexamethasone, the median time to improvement for all end points was 1 day for both arms of dexamethasone and 2 days for placebo. There was no difference between study arms in return to a clinical setting for symptoms related to GABHS pharyngitis or absenteeism from work/school. No patient experienced complications related to GABHS pharyngitis in the 30 days after enrollment. CONCLUSIONS: In this pilot study, children with GABHS pharyngitis who receive dexamethasone as add-on therapy have a more rapid improvement in general condition and level of activity and, for those receiving 3 daily doses of dexamethasone, in resolution of throat pain.

Acute Disease↗

Aetiology of acute pharyngitis: the role of atypical bacteria.

In order to establish the role of atypical bacteria and compare characteristics of different infectious agents in acute pharyngitis, 127 patients with acute pharyngitis (66 males; median age, 5.33 years; range, 6 months to 14 years) and 130 healthy subjects of similar sex and age were studied. Serology with paired samples and PCR on nasopharyngeal aspirates and throat cultures were used to identify bacteria and viruses. Viruses were identified in 43 patients (33.8%) and five controls (3.8%; P < 0.0001), potential bacterial pathogens in 34 patients (26.8%) and 26 controls (20%; P = 0.256) and mixed viral/bacterial pathogens in 26 patients (20.5%) and none of the controls (P < 0.0001). The main aetiological agents were adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes and Chlamydia pneumoniae. M. pneumoniae was the agent found most frequently as a single pathogen. A history of recurrent pharyngitis, having older siblings and a negative outcome were significantly more common among patients with acute M. pneumoniae infection than among those with infections due to other pathogens or healthy controls. This study demonstrates that: (i) adenovirus and RSV have a prominent role in acute pharyngitis; (ii) S. pyogenes is found frequently, but it is not possible to distinguish simple carriers from patients with a true infection; (iii) M. pneumoniae appears to be able to cause acute pharyngitis per se; and (iv) C. pneumoniae seems to be mainly a co-pathogen. To avoid the risk of an incorrect therapeutic approach, simple laboratory investigations that allow rapid identification of M. pneumoniae infections are urgently needed.

Adenoviridae↗

The efficacy of pharyngeal packing during routine nasal surgery--a prospective randomised controlled study.

The efficacy of pharyngeal packing in the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in patients undergoing nasal surgery was evaluated in a prospective randomised controlled study. The effect of the presence of the pharyngeal pack on the incidence of postoperative sore throat was also assessed. One hundred patients were randomly allocated to one of two groups; the first had packing and the second received no packing. The placement of a pharyngeal pack was found to have no effect on the incidence of PONV but was associated with a significantly increased incidence of sore throat. The absence of a pharyngeal pack was not associated with an increase in postoperative aspiration or vomiting. We conclude that the routine placement of pharyngeal packs during uncomplicated nasal surgery has no effect on the incidence of PONV and will increase the incidence of postoperative sore throat.

Adolescent↗

Genetic susceptibility to rheumatic heart disease and streptococcal pharyngitis: association with HLA-DR alleles.

Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is a systemic inflammatory disease that develops as a consequence of an exaggerated immune response to group A beta-haemolytic streptococci, which causes pharyngitis. Major manifestations of ARF include carditis, arthritis and chorea. Several investigators have attempted to establish a relation between ARF and human leucocyte antigens (HLA). Heterogeneity in various studies has been found, although associations with certain antigens were reported. The aim of this study was to analyse whether HLA-DR alleles play a role in the resistance or susceptibility to streptococci-related disorders including rheumatic heart disease (RHD) as a sequela of ARF and recurrent streptococcal pharyngitis in Turkish patients. The study included 102 patients with RHD, 71 persons with recurrent streptococcal pharyngitis and 130 healthy controls. HLA-DR alleles were typed by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-sequence-specific primers. Positive association with HLA-DRB1*07 allele was found for RHD when compared with healthy controls [29.4% vs 13.1%; P < 0.01, P-corrected: P < 0.01, odds ratio (OR) 2.78, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.43-5.26] and also for recurrent streptococcal pharyngitis (26.8% vs 13.1%; P < 0.05, P-corrected: P < 0.05, OR 2.44, 95% CI 1.17-3.56). The frequency of HLA-DRB1*11 allele was decreased in patients with RHD (23.5% vs 42.3%; P < 0.01, P-corrected: P < 0.01, OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.24-0.75). Data suggest that HLA-DRB1*07 allele may be a genetic factor in increasing the susceptibility to develop RHD and recurrent streptococcal pharyngitis. HLA-DRB1*11 allele seems to be a protective factor against RHD.

Adult↗

[Isolation of group A streptococci from pharyngitis patients of all ages--studies from the clinical and epidemiological standpoint].

During the period from June 1981 through Dec. 1985, isolation of group A streptococci was attempted from throat swabs of pharyngitis patients of all ages, who visited a clinic in the central area of Yokohama-city. The data were analysed clinically and epidemiologically. The results were summarized as follows. 1) Group A streptococci were isolated from 85 (30.5%) out of 279 patients with pharyngitis. This is almost within the range of other reports. 2) During one year in the study period, no isolates of group A streptococci were obtained from throat swabs of 32 controls (healthy persons working in the clinic or patients without pharyngitis). 3) The isolation rate correlated with the presence of pharyngeal purulent exudate and also with high maximum body temperature after onset of the illness. The isolation rate was significantly higher in patients with these two signs than those without them. Therefore, these two signs are useful to predict group A streptococcal pharyngitis prior to laboratory examinations. 4) The isolation rate was high in the age groups under 10 and from 30 to 39. 5) The isolation rate was high in winter and low in summer. 6) The typing test revealed T types 13, 28 and 4 to be relatively frequent isolates.

Adolescent↗

Adherence of group A streptococci to pharyngeal cells: a role in the pathogenesis of rheumatic fever.

We used an assay in vitro to investigate the possible role of streptococcal adherence to human pharyngeal cells in the pathogenesis of acute rheumatic fever. There was no difference in adherence of rheumatic fever-associated and non-associated strains of group A streptococci to pooled pharyngeal cells of normal people. Likewise, streptococci not associated with rheumatic fever adhered equally well to cells taken from normal people and from patients with rheumatic heart disease. However, the pharyngeal cells of all nine rheumatic heart disease patients tested had increased avidity for adherence for a rheumatic fever-associated strain of streptococcus compared to the pharyngeal cells obtained from age- and sex-matched controls. Increased streptococcal adherence to pharyngeal cells of rheumatic fever-prone patients may play a role in the pathogenesis of rheumatic fever.

Adult↗

Group A Streptococcus gene expression in humans and cynomolgus macaques with acute pharyngitis.

The molecular mechanisms used by group A Streptococcus (GAS) to survive on the host mucosal surface and cause acute pharyngitis are poorly understood. To provide new information about GAS host-pathogen interactions, we used real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) to analyze transcripts of 17 GAS genes in throat swab specimens taken from 18 pediatric patients with pharyngitis. The expression of known and putative virulence genes and regulatory genes (including genes in seven two-component regulatory systems) was studied. Several known and previously uncharacterized GAS virulence gene regulators were highly expressed compared to the constitutively expressed control gene proS. To examine in vivo gene transcription in a controlled setting, three cynomolgus macaques were infected with strain MGAS5005, an organism that is genetically representative of most serotype M1 strains recovered from pharyngitis and invasive disease episodes in North America and Western Europe. These three animals developed clinical signs and symptoms of GAS pharyngitis and seroconverted to several GAS extracellular proteins. Real-time RT-PCR analysis of throat swab material collected at intervals throughout a 12-day infection protocol indicated that expression profiles of a subset of GAS genes accurately reflected the profiles observed in the human pediatric patients. The results of our study demonstrate that analysis of in vivo GAS gene expression is feasible in throat swab specimens obtained from infected human and nonhuman primates. In addition, we conclude that the cynomolgus macaque is a useful nonhuman primate model for the study of molecular events contributing to acute pharyngitis caused by GAS.

Acute Disease↗

Enteroviral pharyngitis diagnosed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction.

The role of enteroviruses in childhood pharyngitis was investigated using enteroviral specific reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Viral/bacterial throat swabs were taken from 50 children with acute pharyngitis and 26 controls. A positive culture was identified in only 26% of children with pharyngitis (adenovirus 10%, group A streptococci 2%), and none of the controls. Enteroviral RT-PCR was positive in 8% of the pharyngitis group and none of the controls. Enteroviruses are an important cause of pharyngitis in childhood.

Acute Disease↗

Treating genitourinary and pharyngeal gonorrhoea with single dose ceftriaxone.

The efficacy of ceftriaxone 250 mg given as a single intramuscular dose to treat genitourinary and pharyngeal gonorrhoea is compared with the outcome of the Danish standard treatment for uncomplicated genitourinary gonorrhoea, pivampicillin 1.4 g and probenecid 1 g, both given by mouth. The study comprised 327 patients for whom the diagnosis of gonorrhoea was made by microscopy of a methylene blue stained smear at their first visit to the clinic and for whom the diagnosis was later confirmed by culture of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. One hundred and seventy patients with genitourinary gonorrhoea (18 with and 152 without concomitant pharyngeal infection) were treated with ceftriaxone. One hundred and fifty seven (17 with and 140 without concomitant pharyngeal infection) were treated with pivampicillin. One week after treatment N gonorrhoeae was isolated from none of 18, 1/152, (1%), 11/17 (65%), and 6/140 (4%) patients, respectively. At a second attendance two weeks after treatment no further treatment failure was found. During the study period, a further 52 patients with pharyngeal infection (with or without concomitant genitourinary infection) that was shown by culture only were treated with a single intramuscular injection of 250 mg ceftriaxone. No treatment failure was observed in this group. Only minor adverse drug reactions were seen. Ceftriaxone 250 mg as a single intramuscular injection is therefore safe and effective in treating gonorrhoea, including pharyngeal infection.

Adolescent↗

Non-cultural detection of rectal and pharyngeal gonorrhoea by the Gen-Probe PACE 2 assay.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the sensitivity and specificity of the Gen-Probe PACE 2 assay, which uses a chemiluminescent labelled single-stranded DNA probe to detect gonococcal ribosomal RNA (rRNA), for the non-cultural detection of rectal and pharyngeal gonorrhoea in homosexual men. SUBJECTS: 161 homosexual men attending the Department of Genitourinary Medicine, Edinburgh Royal Infirmary during the latter half of 1995 and the first quarter of 1996. METHODS: Duplicate rectal and pharyngeal swabs were collected for culture on modified New York City (MNYC) medium and detection of gonococcal nucleic acid by the Gen-Probe assay. Repeatedly reactive Gen-Probe specimens from culture negative patients were also tested by the Gen-Probe competition assay (PCA). RESULTS: Of the 161 patients, 23 (14.3%) gave a positive culture at one or both sites (rectum 10, throat 8, rectum and throat 5) compared with 28 (16.7%) who gave a positive Gen-Probe result at one or both sites (rectum 9, throat 11, rectum and throat 8). After resolution of discrepant results by PCA the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of Gen-Probe was 94.1%, 100%, 100% and 99.3% for rectal specimens while the corresponding values for pharyngeal specimens were 86.4%, 100%, 100%, and 97.9%. The sensitivity and NPV of rectal culture were 88.2% and 98.6% while the corresponding values for pharyngeal culture were 59% and 93.9%. Gen-Probe was significantly more sensitive than throat culture (p < 0.05) but not rectal culture (p > 0.2). The average Relative Light Units (RLU) value for the cut-off was 386 (range 351-450) while the average for a positive result was 20306 (range 403-110104): this was, however, significantly higher (p = 0.019) in rectal specimens 31325 (range 1705-110104) than in throat specimens 10447 (range 403-15633). CONCLUSIONS: Gen-Probe PACE 2 assay is a sensitive and specific method for the detection of rectal and pharyngeal gonorrhoea. As the Gen-Probe assay may detect nucleic acid from non viable gonococci the clinical significance of a probe positive culture negative specimen from a patient without culture evidence of gonorrhoea at another site is uncertain and requires further consideration. Nevertheless a positive result does indicate exposure to infection and could be important in ensuring appropriate partner notification action. If non-cultural methods are used to screen for gonococcal infection cultures should be obtained from patients with positive results in order that the antibiotic susceptibility and molecular epidemiology of the gonococcal population can be monitored.

Bacteriological Techniques↗

Assessment of intraluminal impedance for the detection of pharyngeal bolus flow during swallowing in healthy adults.

Intraluminal impedance, a nonradiological method for assessing bolus flow within the gut, may be suitable for investigating pharyngeal disorders. This study evaluated an impedance technique for the detection of pharyngeal bolus flow during swallowing. Patterns of pharyngoesophageal pressure and impedance were simultaneously recorded with videofluoroscopy in 10 healthy volunteers during swallowing of liquid, semisolid, and solid boluses. The timing of bolus head and tail passage recorded by fluoroscopy was correlated with the timing of impedance drop and recovery at each recording site. Bolus swallowing produced a drop in impedance from baseline followed by a recovery to at least 50% of baseline. The timing of the pharyngeal and esophageal impedance drop correlated with the timing of the arrival of the bolus head. In the pharynx, the timing of impedance recovery was delayed relative to the timing of clearance of the bolus tail. In contrast, in the upper esophageal sphincter (UES) and proximal esophagus, the timing of impedance recovery correlated well with the timing of clearance of the bolus tail. Impedance-based estimates of pharyngoesophageal bolus clearance time correlated with true pharyngoesophageal bolus clearance time. Patterns of intraluminal impedance recorded in the pharynx during bolus swallowing are therefore more complex than those in the esophagus. During swallowing, mucosal contact between the tongue base and posterior pharyngeal wall prolongs the duration of pharyngeal impedance drop, leading to overestimation of bolus tail timing. Therefore, we conclude that intraluminal impedance measurement does not accurately reflect the bolus transit in the pharynx but does accurately reflect bolus transit across the UES and below.

Adult↗

Differential changes in human pharyngoesophageal motor excitability induced by swallowing, pharyngeal stimulation, and anesthesia.

We investigated the effects of water swallowing, pharyngeal stimulation, and oropharyngeal anesthesia on corticobulbar and craniobulbar projections to human swallowing musculature. Changes in pathway excitability were measured via electromyography from swallowed intraluminal pharyngeal and esophageal electrodes to motor cerebral and trigeminal nerve magnetic stimulation. After both water swallowing and pharyngeal stimulation, pharyngoesophageal corticobulbar excitability increased (swallowing: pharynx = 59 +/- 12%, P < 0.001; esophagus = 45 +/- 20%, P < 0.05; pharyngeal stimulation: pharynx = 76 +/- 19%, P < 0.001; esophagus = 45 +/- 23%, P = 0.05), being early with swallowing but late with stimulation. By comparison, craniobulbar excitability increased early after swallowing but remained unaffected by pharyngeal stimulation. After anesthesia, both corticobulbar (pharynx =-24 +/- 10%, P < 0.05; esophagus = -28 +/- 7%, P < 0.01) and craniobulbar excitability showed a late decrease. Thus swallowing induces transient early facilitation of corticobulbar and craniobulbar projections, whereas electrical stimulation promotes delayed facilitation mainly in cortex. With removal of input, both corticobulbar and craniobulbar projections show delayed inhibition, implying a reduction in motoneuron and/or cortical activity.

Adult↗

Intrinsic properties of pharyngeal and diaphragmatic respiratory motoneurons and muscles.

Breathing is a complex act requiring the coordinated activity of multiple groups of muscles. Thoracic and abdominal respiratory muscles expand and contract the lungs, whereas pharyngeal and laryngeal respiratory muscles maintain upper airway patency and regulate upper airway resistance. An appreciation of the importance of the latter muscle group in maintaining ventilatory homeostasis and in the pathophysiology of sleep apnea has led to extensive studies examining the neural regulation of pharyngeal dilator muscles. The present review examines the role of heterogeneity in motoneuron and muscle properties in determining the diversity in the electrical and mechanical behaviors of thoracic compared with pharyngeal muscle groups. Specifically, phrenic and hypoglossal motoneuron electrophysiological properties influence whether and the extent to which these neurons will fire in response to a given synaptic input arising from chemo- and mechanoreceptors and from respiratory and nonrespiratory pattern generators. Furthermore, thoracic and pharyngeal muscle properties determine the mechanical response to motoneuronal activity, including the speed of contraction, relationships between motoneuron firing frequency and force production, and whether force is maintained during repetitive activation. Heterogeneity in the functional capabilities of these motoneurons and muscles is in turn determined by diversity of their structural and biochemical properties. Thus, intrinsic properties of respiratory motoneurons and muscles act in concert with neuronal drives in defining the complex electrical and mechanical behavior of pharyngeal and thoracic respiratory motor systems.

Animals↗

Effects of pharyngeal muscle activation on airway pressure-area relationships.

Fiberoptic imaging in an isolated, sealed upper airway was performed in 10 decerebrate cats to determine the effect of pharyngeal muscle activation on airway pressure-area relationships. Bilateral cuff electrodes stimulated the distal cut ends of the following nerves: medial and lateral hypoglossus, glossopharyngeus, and pharyngeal branch of vagus. At given intraluminal pressures ranging from +6 to -6 cm H2O, cross-sectional area was measured in the rostral oropharynx, velopharynx, and caudal oropharynx, with and without nerve stimulation. A mixed model analysis of variance indicated a relatively constant increase in area across the pressure range with glossopharyngeal stimulation at any given level. Significant interactions between pressure and stimulation were present in the rostral oropharynx with medial hypoglossus stimulation and in the caudal oropharynx with independent and combined hypoglossal branch stimulation and pharyngeal branch of vagus stimulation. With stimulation of the hypoglossal nerves, greater increases in area in these regions occurred in the lower pressure ranges. Stimulation of the pharyngeal branch of the vagus caused a greater decrease in area at the higher pressure ranges in the caudal oropharynx and velopharynx. The results indicate that the mechanical effects of pharyngeal muscle activation depend not only on the region and muscles activated but also on the intraluminal pressure.

Analysis of Variance↗

Regional effects of selective pharyngeal muscle activation on airway shape.

Pharyngeal airway fiberoptic imaging was performed in 10 decerebrate cats to determine the effect of selective pharyngeal muscle activation on airway shape. At intraluminal pressures from 6 to -6 cm H2O, maximum anteroposterior and lateral diameters were measured in the rostral oropharynx, caudal oropharynx, and velopharynx with and without bilateral stimulation of the medial hypoglossus (HG), lateral HG, whole HG, glossopharyngeus, and pharyngeal branch of vagus nerves. At all three airway levels without nerve stimulation, the increase in diameter with increasing pressure was greater in the lateral than anteroposterior dimension. Stimulation of the hypoglossal and glossopharyngeus nerves caused greater increases in lateral than anteroposterior diameter in all three regions with different effects across nerves and regions. Stimulation of these four nerves frequently caused greater increases in both diameters, as the airway cross-sectional area was decreased by lowering airway pressure. Stimulation of the pharyngeal branch of vagus resulted in greater decreases in lateral than anteroposterior dimension in the caudal oropharynx and velopharynx, especially as airway cross-sectional area was increased by increasing intraluminal pressure. The results indicate that selective activation of pharyngeal muscles in cats frequently results in greater changes in lateral than anteroposterior airway diameter and that these effects are dependent on airway region and cross-sectional area.

Airway Resistance↗