Beta-haemolytic streptococci in saliva

Viable counts of beta-haemolytic streptococci per ml. of saliva were made in the following groups: (1) children with acute streptococcal sore throat, (2) children with acute non-streptococcal sore throat, (3) children who had no sore throat but were streptococcal throat carriers, (4) children who neither had a sore throat nor were streptococcal throat carriers.The mean counts from cases of streptococcal sore throat and from streptococcal carriers were respectively 1.4 x 10(6) and 2.5 x 10(5) per ml.In a comparison of the efficiency of the throat swab, sublingual swab and specimen of saliva in isolating beta-haemolytic streptococci from the upper respiratory tract, culture of saliva produced the best results.