STREPTOCOCCUS-PYOGENES TRANSMISSION AMONG AIR-FORCE RECRUITS - EFFICACY OF SURVEILLANCE AND PROPHYLAXIS PROTOCOLS

The prevalence of Streptococcus pyogenes in Air Force recruits (n = 10 ,634) completing basic training at Lackland Air Force Base between Nov ember 1, 1993, and March 1, 1994, was determined. Throat cultures were obtained on the second day and the last day of training, approximatel y 6 weeks later. Although the prevalence on the second day was nearly identical between males (1.99%) and females (1.98%), males with positi ve cultures increased to 4.30%, whereas females with positive cultures increased to 2.92% at the end of training. Within flights, an increas e was noted in male flights when members sought care and subsequently were positive for S. pyogenes. Within these flights, S. pyogenes preva lence significantly increased from 2.79 to 7.20% (p < 0.001) despite a ntibiotic therapy and prophylaxis treatment measures. Within female ni ghts, the increase was from 2.68 to 3.35%, which was not statistically significant (p < 0.19). A total of 161 trainees were treated for S. p yogenes as a result of positive cultures; remarkably, 27.3% of these w ere still culture-positive on the last day of training.