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.