Acute “primary” streptococcus peritonitis

Group A streptococcal pharyngitis associated with primary peritonitis

“…The reports of GAS peritonitis and associated GAS pharyngitis were most frequent prior to the development of antibiotics in the 1940’s (table 1). Prior to the 1940’s, cases of GAS peritonitis was treated with laparotomy, incision and drainage and a variety of supportive measures such as gentian violet and antistreptococcic serum 3 9 12–17. As antibiotic use became widespread and the incidence of untreated GAS pharyngitis decreased, reports of pharyngitis associated with peritonitis also became less frequent.…”

“…In 1927, Schwartz described 14 cases of primary streptococcal peritonitis, half of which grew streptococcus on throat culture 13. Leopold described 11 cases of streptococcal peritonitis, five of which were preceded by pharyngitis, and noted that an intimate relationship between group A streptococcus pharyngitis and peritonitis 17. Ladd et al described 47 cases of paediatric streptococcus peritonitis, two of which were notable for pharyngeal cultures positive for streptococcus.…”