The clinical pattern of group C streptococcal pharyngitis in children

Group A streptococcal pharyngitis of is a common infectious disease with a well-recognized clinical pattern, as opposed to that attributed to group C assault. The aim of this study was to identify the clinical features of group C streptococcal pharyngitis in children. In total, 144 children participated in the study, consisting of three distinct categories. Group I patients consisted of children with group A streptococcal pharyngitis, group II patients included children with group C streptococcal pharyngitis, while children with pharyngitis with no isolated causative agent constituted group III patients. With the exception of sore throat, which was three times more common in group I patients compared to group II patients, there were no other differences in symptoms and signs between these two groups. Similarly, no difference was found between group II patients and group III patients with respect to clinical features. Two or more Centor criteria were found in 77% of the children with group C streptococcal pharyngitis and in 89% of the children with group A streptococcal pharyngitis. It is concluded that the clinical features of group C streptococcal pharyngitis are similar to but milder than those of group A streptococcal pharyngitis.