THE PATTERNS OF OROPHARYNGEAL MICROFLORA IN PATIENTS WITH HOMOZYGOUS SICKLE-CELL DISEASE

A controlled prospective study was carried out between 16 July 1991 an d 31 January 1992 to evaluate the oropharyngeal flora in homozygous si ckle cell disease (SS). Throat swabs for cultures were taken from 163 asymptomatic SS patients attending sickle cell clinics (90 children an d 73 adults). Throat swabs were also taken from 84 asymptomatic health y individuals as a control group (44 children and 40 adults). Group A beta hemolytic Streptococci were isolated from 16.6% of children with SS compared to 4.5% of children without SS (P<0.05). Staphylococcus au reus was isolated from 16.4% of adults with SS compared to 0% of adult s without SS (P<D.0001). Group G beta hemolytic Streptococci and nongr oupable Streptococci were also isolated from 11% and 13.7% of adults w ith SS compared to 0% and 2.5% of adults without SS respectively. Seve ral other organisms were isolated only from SS patients. We conclude t hat the oropharyngeal flora of patients with SS is disturbed. This dis turbance may contribute to morbidity of these patients.