Utilization of Utah State Division of Health laboratory for identification of streptococci in throat cultures

In 1965 and several other years, Utah has had the highest death rate in the nation from rheumatic fever and chronic rheumatic heart disease.1 These diseases only occur following infections with group A beta hemolytic streptococcus2 (subsequently may be referred to simply as streptococci). When this pathogenic strain of streptococci is present, the organism can be isolated and identified from a throat culture and subsequent laboratory testing of the specimen.3 Adequate administration of penicillin G or erythromycin to subjects carrying streptococci will eliminate the bacteria and thereby greatly reduce the risk of rheumatic fever.4