Case of sexually transmitted recurrent pharyngotonsillitis caused by group A streptococcus

Sex Transm Infect. 2021 Mar;97(2):118. doi: 10.1136/sextrans-2020-054862. Epub 2020 Dec 16.

Abstract

We report a five-time recurrent pharyngotonsillitis caused by group A streptococcus (GAS) after sexual contacts and had no recurrence after concurrent therapy to both partners. Although Streptococcus pyogenes (GAS) is a Gram-positive streptococcus capable of causing a recurrent pharyngotonsillitis, the recurrent GAS pharyngotonsillitis as STI has not been published.A 30-year-old man had a high fever and sore throat. He had a repeated pharyngotonsillitis caused by GAS in spite of the sufficient antimicrobial therapy after having sex with his partner, including oral penile and oral vaginal sex. In contrast, a hug and kiss alone did not precede his episodes of pharyngotonsillitis. His partner had GAS carriage on her pharynx. He had no recurrence after concurrent therapy to both partners. The recurrent GAS pharyngotonsillitis as STI has not been published. In a patient with recurrent pharyngotonsillitis caused by GAS, the sexual history and pharyngeal carrier status of the partner should be checked.

Keywords: general practice; infection; sexual behaviour.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Carrier State / drug therapy
  • Carrier State / microbiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pharyngitis / diagnosis
  • Pharyngitis / drug therapy
  • Pharyngitis / microbiology*
  • Pharynx / microbiology
  • Recurrence
  • Sexual Behavior
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases / diagnosis
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases / drug therapy
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases / microbiology*
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases / transmission
  • Streptococcal Infections / diagnosis
  • Streptococcal Infections / drug therapy
  • Streptococcal Infections / microbiology*
  • Streptococcal Infections / transmission
  • Streptococcus pyogenes / isolation & purification
  • Streptococcus pyogenes / pathogenicity*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents