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Streptococcal infections among children in a residential home: III. Some factors influencing susceptibility to infection

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

Margaret C. Holmes ,
R. E. O. Williams ,
C. V. Bloom ,
Ann Hirch ,
Lermit  and
Eileen Woods
Margaret C. Holmes
Affiliation:
Streptococcus Reference Laboratory, Public Health Laboratory Service, Colindale, N.W. 9
R. E. O. Williams
Affiliation:
Streptococcus Reference Laboratory, Public Health Laboratory Service, Colindale, N.W. 9
C. V. Bloom
Affiliation:
Dr Barnardo's Homes, Barkingside, Essex
Ann Hirch
Affiliation:
Streptococcus Reference Laboratory
Lermit
Affiliation:
Streptococcus Reference Laboratory
Eileen Woods
Affiliation:
Streptococcus Reference Laboratory
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Children in a residential home whose tonsils had been removed had lower attack rates for streptococcal sore throat than tonsillectomized children. Tonsillectomy did not have a consistent effect on respiratory tract illness.

Tonsillectomy has a similar effect on the outcome of individual exposures to streptococcal infection; the difference was more marked for illness than for simple colonization.

The apparent benefit from tonsillectomy could not be attributed to the ageing of the child, and was considered real. Its magnitude did not seem, however, great enough to justify a policy of extensive tonsillectomy, particularly in view of the possible risks to the child.

A child who had been ill with infection due to one streptococcal type rarely became ill when re-exposed to the same type. In addition there was some evidence in children with tonsils of an immunity, perhaps short lived, which was clearly not type-specific.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Hygiene , Volume 56 , Issue 2 , June 1958 , pp. 197 - 210
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1958

References

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