Increased prevalence of group A β-hemolytic streptococcus among an ethnic population in Kyrgyzstan detected by the rapid antigen detection test

The incidence of rheumatic fever (RF) has markedly increased in the last 10 years in Kyrgyzstan. Therefore, investigating the prevalence of group A β-hemolytic streptococcus (GABHS), which is the cause of RF, in the Kyrgyzstan population is crucial. We studied 189 subjects: 59 children [29 with RF and/or rheumatic heart disease (RHD)] and 130 adults (15 with RHD). The average age of the subjects was 41.0±10.0 years (range 8 months to 72 years). A general clinical examination and medical history including eating habits was carried out. The prevalence of GABHS was tested using the highly sensitive rapid antigen detection test (RADT) to detect the outcrop of streptococcus antigen in smears taken from the mucosal surface of the tonsils or the back of the throat. GABHS antigen was positive in 70 of a total 189 subjects [37.0%; 22/59 children (37.2%), 48/130 adults (36.9%)]. In patients with RF/RHD (n=44), GABHS was positive in 14 subjects [31.8%; 8/29 children (27.6%), 6/15 adults (40.0%)]. Thirty-two subjects with RF/RHD had frequent episodes of tonsillopharyngitis. In subjects without RF/RHD (n=145), GABHS was positive in 56 subjects [38.6%; 14/30 children (46.6%), 42/115 adults (36.5%)]. Thirty of these subjects had frequent episodes of tonsillopharyngitis. Of the 130 adults, the most-consumed dairy products included yoghurt (n=115; 88.4%), milk kasha (n=75; 57.7%) and milk (n=40; 30.7%). Of the 115 subjects in the yoghurt-consuming group, 44 (38.2%) had positive results for GABHS. In the non-yoghurt-consuming group, 4/15 subjects (26.6%) had positive results for GABHS. Using RADT for GABHS, a high prevalence of GABHS antigen was detected not only in patients with RF/RHD, but also in the healthy population (without RF/RHD). The low GABHS prevalence in children with RF/RHD (27.6%) was probably due to corresponding antibiotic therapy. In conclusion, the high prevalence of GABHS is one of the main reasons for the rapid increase in RF/RHD in Kyrgyzstan, and RADT would be an effective tool for its detection.