1962 Volume 15 Issue 4 Pages 189-197
A study of streptococcal infections in primary school children had been conducted during a period of October, 1656 to September, 1958, under the sponsorship of the Ministry of Health and Welfare. The main purpose of this survey was to disclose the dynamics of streptococcal prevalence in school populations and to evaluate the relative importance of various factors which influence the host-parasite equilibrium.
During the study period, serum samples were obtained from some of the children studied, and were examined for the antistreptolysin O (ASL) content. Investigations were made as to whether the possession of ASL is related to the immunity to subsequent streptococcal reinfections, and a rise in ASL titer was used as a criterion for answering the question of whether streptococci harbored in the throat of children are inducing the reaction of the host or they are to be considered as simple saprophytic inhabitants.
The present report first describes a general outline of the epidemiological findings as the background of serological investigations, and then some immunological findings related to ASL are presented in order to contribute to the understanding of streptococcal infections in a group of children.
