Epidemiology of Civilian Streptococcal Outbreaks Before and After Penicillin Prophylaxis

Abstract

Two epidemics of streptococcal disease in rural communities were treated by mass oral administration of potassium penicillin G to school populations. In one community 250,000 units were given twice daily for 10 consecutive days, with a marked and prolonged decline both in carrier rate and clinical cases. In the second community 250,000 units of potassium penicillin G were administered only once daily for 10 consecutive days which resulted in a minimal fall in carrier rate and a prompt return to a high level of infection and clinical illness. A study conducted in 56 families of school children of one community revealed that children age 4 to 7 years had the highest rate of infection (79%) while only 10% of adults were positive. Information is presented on school-wide and familial occurrence of different types and groups of streptococci.