Group A streptococcal infection cases during influenza season 2016

Abstract

Objective: Even though mixed bacterial-viral infections are very common in other respiratory tract conditions such as acute otitis media and pneumonia, concurrent GAS–influenza virus pharyngotonsillitis is generally not considered. We share our experience of mixed infection of GAS and influenza in children with this report. Methods: The rapid antigen test for streptococcus group A (Quidel, USA) was applied to the throat samples. The throat samples were also cultured in sheep blood agar at 37 °C for 24 h incubation. The rapid antigen test for influenza (Quidel, USA) was applied to the nasal samples at the same time. Results: Between January and April 2016, among 541 children, 11 cases had concurrent influenza and GAS; 3 cases with influenza B and 8 cases with influenza A. Conclusion: There is a number of data alerting the clinicians about bacterial coinfections because of the rapid progression to severe illnesses.