Epidemiology and prevention of group A streptococcal infections: Acute respiratory tract infections, skin infections, and their sequelae at the closeof the twentieth century

Infections of the upper respiratory tract and skin due to group A Streptoco ccus are common, and the organism is highly transmissible. In industrialize d countries and to some extent in developing countries, control efforts con tinue to emphasize that group A streptococcal pharyngitis should be properl y diagnosed and appropriately treated. In developing countries and in indig enous populations where the burden of group A streptococcal diseases appear s greatest, the epidemiology is less completely defined and may differ from that in industrialized countries. There is a need for accurately collected epidemiological data from developing countries, which may also further cla rify the pathogenesis of group A streptococcal infections and their sequela e. While proper treatment of group A streptococcal pharyngitis continues to be essential in all populations, it may be appropriate in developing count ries to consider additional strategies to reduce rates of pyoderma.