The prevalence of group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus in healthy Turkish children in day-care centers in Ankara.

BACKGROUND To investigate the carrier rates of group A beta-hemolytic Streptococci (GAS) in various seasons of the year in the upper respiratory tract of healthy children in day-care centers. METHODS In this descriptive study, a total of 1893 throat swabs obtained from healthy children 1-6 years old in 13 day-care centers were screened for beta-hemolytic Streptococci in Ankara, Turkey, between October 2003 and July 2005. Standard microbiological techniques were used for screening. RESULTS In this study, a total of 61 isolates of beta-hemolytic Streptococci were obtained. Of the isolates 75.4% were GAS. The rate of isolation was 1.03% in spring, 1.2% in summer, 2.26% in winter, and 4.08% in autumn. CONCLUSION The GAS carrier rate was the highest in autumn in healthy children. A low prevalence of GAS was observed in our country.