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Although several outbreaks of group G beta-hemolytic streptococcal (GGBHS) pharyngitis have been described, doubt still remains regarding the etiologic role of GGBHS in acute pharyngitis beyond a limited number of situations. In the winter/spring of 1986/87, throat cultures were obtained from 222 consecutive children seen at a private pediatric office with acute pharyngitis and group A beta-hemolytic streptococci (GABHS) were recovered from 91 children (41%) and GGBHS from 56 children (25%). One patient had both GABHS and GGBHS isolated. This isolation rate of GGBHS was dramatically greater than in previous and subsequent years, and 67% of the GGBHS isolates occurred during an 8-week period. Results of DNA fingerprinting of the 57 isolates of GGBHS demonstrated that 43 (75%) appeared to be the same strain. The patients with GGBHS were comparable to those with GABHS with respect to clinical findings, antistreptolysin-O titer response, and clinical response to antibiotic therapy. However, patients with GGBHS were significantly older (P less than .05). This is the first well-documented, community-wide outbreak of GGBHS pharyngitis and the first respiratory outbreak of GGBHS pharyngitis in a pediatric population. GGBHS may be a more important cause of acute, treatable pharyngitis than had been previously recognized.

An increased incidence of rubeola among first-grade Danbury school children in 1973 led to a study of seroimmunity to rubeola in a random sample of 60% of the first- and second-grade school children (299) from whom blood samples had been obtained in October 1972 during a voluntary meningococcal vaccination program. Immunization histories derived from physicians' statements on school entry were obtained from school health department records and included date of immunization. Seventy-five percent of the study group had received measles vaccine. Of those immunized prior to 11 months of age only half had an hemagglutinating inhibiting titer (HAI) of greater than or equal to 5 five to seven years later. This antibody level correlates with immunity. Eighty-five to ninety percent of those immunized during or after the 11th month had an antibody titer of greater than or equal to 5. Seventy-one percent of those never immunized also had an HAI titer of greater than or equal to 5 indicating natural infection had occurred. As a result of this investigation, a community-wide program was initiated to vaccinate those who were more than 1 year old as well as reimmunize those who had been vaccinated before the 11th month in accord with current U.S. Public Health Service recommendations for measles immunization.