Global Advanced Research Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences (GARJMMS) ISSN: 2315-5159
January 2017 Vol. 6(1), pp. 008-013
Copyright © 2017 Global Advanced Research Journals

Full Length Research Paper  

Prevalence of Streptococcus pyogenes Among Pre-School Children Ages 4 to 6 in Makah city, Saudi Arabia

Sami S Ashgar¹, Barhameen Abeer AA¹, Ayman Johargy¹, Hamdi M El-Said¹*, Mohammed H Mukhtar² and Abdullah A Saati<sup>3       

1</sup>Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al Qura University, Saudi Arabia.
²Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Saudi Arabia.
³Department of Community Medicine and Pilgrims Healthcare, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Saudi Arabia.

*Corresponding Author E-mail: hamdimustafa1@gmail.com; Mobile: 00966551941735 

Accepted 12 January, 2017 

Abstract

Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is a one of the most common bacterial pathogens. It causes pharyngitis among pre-school aged children. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of transmission of Group A streptococci among pre-school children in the city of Makah, Saudi Arabia. The study included 2370 Saudi and non-Saudi children four to six years from 19 kindergarten schools from seven different districts in Makah. The sampling was conducted from February to May 2014. GAS were isolated from 36 (1.5%) of 2370 asymptomatic children. Among the isolates, 16 (44.4%) were from male subjects whereas 20 (55.6 %) were from females. The highest colonization of S. pyogenes was found in the 5-year age group 17 (1.6 %). The prevalence was higher in boys (1.6%) as compared to girls (1.5%). All of the isolates of GAS were sensitive to penicillin (100%) and the highest resistance was (33 %) for trimethoprim. This study demonstrated low prevalence of GAS was observed in our present study when compared to studies conducted on other countries, which reflect relatively favorable conditions of generally hygiene and environmental factors in Saudi Arabia.

Keywords: Group A streptococcus, Makah, GAS, pharyngitis, hygiene