Streptococcal Pharyngitis in Adults: Can It Be Efficiently and Effectively Managed by Remote Control?
Authors: Edward L. Kaplan
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2013)

EditorialsNovember 5, 2013Streptococcal Pharyngitis in Adults: Can It Be Efficiently and Effectively Managed by Remote Control?Edward L. Kaplan, MDEdward L. Kaplan, MDFrom University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-159-9-201311050-00013 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail In this issue, Fine and colleagues (1) propose a solution to managing the ever-present threat of group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis. Adult streptococcal pharyngitis continues to worry and perplex clinicians and public health authorities. Which patients require evaluation, and which require treatment? Answering these questions would not only improve care but probably save valuable resources.Fine and colleagues retrospectively analyzed data from more than 70 000 patients presenting with pharyngitis to derive a “home score” algorithm to identify whether further evaluation was needed. The algorithm incorporates recent local biosurveillance data and responses to questions answered without any clinical training. The authors ...References1. Fine AM, Nizet V, and Mandl KD. Participatory medicine: a home score for streptococcal pharyngitis enabled by real-time biosurveillance. A cohort study. Ann Intern Med. 2013;159:577-83. LinkGoogle Scholar2. Lancefield RC. Persistence of type-specific antibodies in man following infection with group A streptococci. J Exp Med. 1959;110:271-92. [PMID: 13673139] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. Bencivenga JF, Johnson DR, and Kaplan EL. Determination of group a streptococcal anti-M type-specific antibody in sera of rheumatic fever patients after 45 years. Clin Infect Dis. 2009;49:1237-9. [PMID: 19761409] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. Dingle JH, Badger GF, and Jordan WS. Illness in the Home: A Study of 25,000 Illnesses in a Group of Cleveland Families. Cleveland Western Reserve Univ Pr 1964 97-117. Google Scholar5. Roy S, Kaplan EL, Rodriguez B, Schreiber JR, Salata RA, Palavecino E, et al. A family cluster of five cases of group A streptococcal pneumonia. Pediatrics. 2003;112:61-5. [PMID: 12837907] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar6. Shulman ST, Bisno AL, Clegg HW, Gerber MA, Kaplan EL, Lee G, et al. Clinical practice guideline for the diagnosis and management of group A streptococcal pharyngitis: 2012 update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Clin Infect Dis. 2012;55:1279-82. [PMID: 23091044] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar7. Werner G, Cornfeld D, Hubbard JP, and Rake G. A study of streptococcal infection in a school population: laboratory methodology. Ann Intern Med. 1958;49:1320-31 LinkGoogle Scholar8. Kaplan EL. The group A streptococcal upper respiratory tract carrier state: an enigma. J Pediatr. 1980;97:337-45. [PMID: 6997450] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar9. Wannamaker LW. Diagnosis of pharyngitis: clinical and epidemiological features.. In: Shulman ST, eds. Pharyngitis: Management in an Era of Declining Rheumatic Fever. New York Praeger Publishers 1984 33-46. Google Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: From University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota.Disclosures: Disclosures can be viewed at www.acponline.org/authors/icmje/ConflictOfInterestForms.do?msNum=M13-2278.Corresponding Author: Edward L. Kaplan, MD, MMC 296, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota Medical School, 420 Delaware Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55422; e-mail, [email protected]. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsSee AlsoParticipatory Medicine: A Home Score for Streptococcal Pharyngitis Enabled by Real-Time Biosurveillance Andrew M. Fine , Victor Nizet , and Kenneth D. Mandl When Should Patients Seek Care for Sore Throat? Robert M. Centor Metrics November 5, 2013Volume 159, Issue 9Page: 638-639KeywordsAlgorithmsAntibodiesChild healthChildrenElderlyEpidemiologyGroup A streptococciInfectious diseasesPathogensPediatric infectionsPharyngitisPrevention, policy, and public healthRespiratory systemRetrospective studiesRheumatic feverStreptococcal infectionsStreptococcal pharyngitisStreptococcus pyogenesUpper respiratory tract infectionsVaccines ePublished: 5 November 2013 Issue Published: November 5, 2013 CopyrightCopyright © 2013 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF DownloadLoading ...