The control of streptococcal skin infections in South Trinidad

The effect of various treatment regimens on epidemiologic aspects of skin infections was assessed in South Trinidad where acute glomerulonephritis is associated with these infections. Weekly examinations and cultures revealed marked variation in the incidence of skin lesions in untreated children during 40 weeks of study. Neither plain soap nor hexachlorophene soap decreased the incidence of skin lesions or of group A streptococci in the lesions significantly. Intramuscular injections of penicillin eradicated the streptococci for four weeks. They did not eradicate the skin lesions, however, which soon were colonized again with streptococci. These observations indicate that control of streptococcal skin infections in Trinidad should start with prevention of the skin lesions or their protection from sources of group A streptococci.