Incidence of beta hemolytic streptococcal pharyngitis in adolescent with infectious mononucleosis

Upper respiratory tract infection in household contacts of acne patients

BACKGROUND

Antibiotic use in acne patients has been associated with an increased risk of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI).

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study using the General Practice Research Database of the United Kingdom. All study subjects were identified as sharing a residence with a patient with a diagnosis of acne. Outcome of interest was a URTI.

RESULTS

We identified 98,094 contacts of acne patients. A contact of an acne patient who had a URTI was about 43% more likely to develop a URTI than a contact of an acne patient who did not have a URTI (OR = 1.43 CI = 1.33-1.52, p < 0.001). Exposure to an acne patient using antibiotics did not independently increase a contact's risk of URTI (OR = 0.94, CI = 0.89-1.00, p = 0.063).

CONCLUSIONS

Although acne patients on antibiotics are about 2 times more likely to develop URTIs, their household contacts do not appear to be at an increased risk of URTI.

Colonisation rates of Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus in the oropharynx of a young adult population

There are very few reports on the rates of oropharyngeal colonisation by Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus in young adults. The present study found colonisation rates of 9.6% and 26.2%, respectively. These rates are two-fold higher than historical rates, indicating that these organisms may be more prevalent than thought previously. This finding may have important clinical consequences in certain populations, and requires further investigation.

Occurrence of Epstein-Barr virus illness in children diagnosed with group A streptococcal pharyngitis

Epstein-Barr virus mononucleosis and group A streptococcal pharyngitis are acute infectious processes similar in both their clinical manifestations. Coinfections may occur and be a direct result of a synergistic effect on inflamed pharyngeal and tonsillar tissue. It was our observation that a population of children diagnosed with group A streptococcal pharyngitis and not responding to appropriate antimicrobial therapy had Epstein-Barr virus illness.

Infectious mononucleosis in adolescents

Infectious mononucleosis is a clinical manifestation of primary EBV infection in adolescents, characterized by a triad of clinical, laboratory, and serologic features. The classic signs and symptoms are not seen in every patient; rather, the presentations tend to fit into one of three clinical forms (pharyngeal, glandular, or febrile). Recognizing these syndromes provides a useful framework for anticipating the clinical course, complications, and differential diagnosis. Nonclassic presentations of IM include a wide variety of neurologic abnormalities, thrombocytopenic purpura, and splenic rupture. The laboratory features of IM include absolute lymphocytosis with a large percentage of atypical lymphocytes, and abnormal liver chemistries in 90% of patients. The diagnosis of IM is confirmed serologically, usually with the demonstration of heterophile antibodies; the test can conveniently be performed in office laboratories. If the heterophile antibody test is negative, EBV-specific serologic tests can identify whether the illness is due to primary EBV infection. Once the diagnosis of IM is made, appropriate guidelines for resumption of activity should be provided to patients, especially to those with evidence of splenomegaly. Medical management includes supportive therapy with adequate analgesia. Corticosteroids are indicated for patients with upper airway obstruction; they may be helpful in patients with neurologic, hematologic, or cardiac complications. Acyclovir may prove to be useful, but further studies are needed before its use can be recommended.

Non-sexually transmitted infectious diseases of the oral, nasal, and vaginal mucosae

The skin and mucous membranes are the principal barriers to invasion of the body by microorganisms. Besides functioning as a mechanical barrier, the mucosae are endowed with an array of still poorly characterized specific and nonspecific host defense capabilities. These include the production of mucus, secretory immunoglobulin (IgA), lysozyme, lactoferrin, and alpha-antitrypsin, in conjunction with a low-grade exudation of leukocytes.¹ In addition, the mucosal surfaces of the upper respiratory, gastrointestinal, and lower vaginal and urinary tracts support a large number of “nonpathogenic” microorganisms that comprise the so-called “normal flora.” This commensal flora plays an important and complex role in protecting the host from microbial invasion. Mechanisms for this protection likely include the following: (1) competition for the same nutrients (interference); (2) competition for the same receptors on host cells (tropism); (3) production of bacteriocins, that is, bacterial products that are toxic to other organisms, usually of the same species; and (4) stimulation of crossprotective immune factors such as the “natural antibodies.”¹

The “normal” flora is inconstant and may be altered by dietary factors, debilitation, hormonal events (such as menstruation, pregnancy, and possibly use of oral contraceptives), personal hygiene, medications, intercurrent infection, and probably many others. Antibiotic therapy and menstruation can have a profound effect on the composition of this group of microorganisms.² Disturbance of the delicate host-commensal relationship may cause a clinically significant infection due to these “nonpathogens.” This may occur in response to the aforementioned factors (eg, pregnancy predisposing to vaginal candidiasis) or because of disruption of the anatomic barrier (eg, local mucosal infection at a site of trauma, or injury from cytotoxic drugs) or in association with exogenous infection (eg, rhinoviral infection leading to secondary bacterial otitis media). Invasion by “normal flora” may result in serious systemic illness. A clear example of the latter is the development of infective endocarditis caused by viridans streptococci following a dental procedure.