[Identification of Streptococcus group A in children with pharyngitis, in ambulatory care, through pharyngeal culture].

: 574 cases of pharyngitis (patients 0.3-14 years aged) were studied. Throat swabs were obtained from all the children, inoculated into blood-agar plates and incubated aerobically at 37 degrees C, in the office, using the bacitracin test for identification of group A streptococci. The 25% of the cultures were positives (80% in the first 24 hours, and the rest in 48 hours). We did not find reliable clinical findings that enable us to diagnose streptococcal pharyngitis accurately. So that we conclude that demonstration of group A streptococcus in patients throat is essential and we find that throat culture is a practical and advisable method for the office practice.