Throat cultures in Baltimore City: a study of the Maryland State Health Department laboratory program

Throat cultures are recognized as an important measure in correctly diagnosing streptococcal infections and reducing their incidence and the morbidity they cause, thereby preventing first attacks of acute rheumatic fever. Recognizing the importance of this measure, many state health department laboratories now provide free processing of throat cultures in an effort to encourage the widespread use of this practice. For many years such a throat culturing service has been available through the State Health Department laboratory in Maryland. The present study was carried out to assess the experience of the State laboratory in processing throat cultures from Baltimore City residents and to determine the utilization patterns of this service in the community.