OSMT (Ontario Society of Medical Technologists) Practice Exam

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Which severe complication can "Group A beta-haemolytic streptococci" cause?

Measles
Whooping cough
Scarlet fever
Polio

The correct answer is: Scarlet fever

Group A beta-haemolytic streptococci, primarily known for causing conditions such as strep throat, can lead to several complications, one of which is scarlet fever. This complication occurs when the bacteria produce a toxin that affects the body, leading to a distinctive rash, high fever, and a characteristic red appearance of the tongue, often referred to as “strawberry tongue.” Unlike measles, whooping cough, and polio, which are caused by different pathogens—measles by a virus, whooping cough by Bordetella pertussis, and polio by the poliovirus—scarlet fever is directly associated with Group A beta-haemolytic streptococci. Therefore, scarlet fever is a significant complication arising from infections caused by these streptococci.