Article révisé par les pairs
Résumé : A prospective study is undertaken among 435 children from two primary schools in Brussels, Belgium, in order to identify the determinants of group A streptococcal carriage. The dynamic of carriage is characterized by a high proportion of carriers (26 per cent), a low acquisition rate (5,2 per month and per 100 children), the unfrequent observation of nephritigenis strains, and the low magnitude of seasonal fluctuations. The rate of acquisition is higher in the school situated in an area with low socio-economic status of residents (7,3 per month and per 100 children) than in the school attented by children from higher status (3,7 per month and per 100 children). The acquisition rate is not related to age and sex. It is related to environmental factors determining the level of exposure such as the number of carriers in classrooms and household promiscuity with other children. © 1983.