An outbreak of foodborne streptococcal throat infection
Shemesh, E.; Fischel, T.; Goldstein, N.; Alkan, M.; Livneh, A.
Israel Journal of Medical Sciences 30(4): 275-278
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0021-2180 PMID: 7980756 Document Number: 425664
Streptococcal pharyngitis is a common disease of epidemic nature, usually transmitted by saliva droplets. We present an epidemiologic analysis of an outbreak of streptococcal pharyngitis in a military unit involving 75 soldiers. The causing organism was Streptococcus pyogenes (group A beta hemolytic Streptococcus, T28 M56), which was isolated from 53 affected individuals. The source of the epidemic was probably an army cook. The infection was transferred by a cabbage salad to individuals who became symptomatic within 24-48 h. This epidemic is a reminder of an exceptional route of streptococcal dissemination and one of the largest outbreaks of foodborne streptococcal pharyngitis documented.