[Specimen culture from all children in a day care center because of an outbreak of streptococcal infection].

In an outbreak of recurrent group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngotonsillitis between January and February 1997 at a Swedish preschool, involving 58% (11/19) of the children and several family members, clinical examination showed few of the children to manifest signs and symptoms of tonsillitis. However, throat specimens yielded GAS growth of the same T-type in 42% (8/19) of the children and in 30% (6/20) of family members, but in none of the staff. Strict hygiene, appropriate antibiotic treatment of all culture-positive individuals irrespective of symptoms, and non-attendance at the preschool during the first two days of treatment promptly terminated the outbreak and there were no cases of recurrence.