The commonest cause of bacterial pharyngitis is the Lancefield group A, Streptococcus pyogenes while Lancefield group C streptococci have also been reported as a cause of pharyngitis. Diphtheria is an acute infectious disease of the upper respiratory tract and occasionally the skin. It is caused by toxigenic strains of Corynebacterium diphtheria. Please contact the laboratory if Diphtheria is suspected.
Other causes of infection include;
- H. Influenza type B (Children <5)
- Fungal/Yeast (Immunocompromised patients/patients undergoing antimicrobial therapy)
- Arcanobacterium haemolyticum (recurrent tonsillitis)
- Fusobacterium necrophorum (recurrent/persistent sore throat, peritonsillar abscess)
- Neisseria gonorrhoeae
If any such infections are suspected please contact the laboratory.