ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: An antibiotic-sensitivity study was conducted on 117 strains of group A streptococcus (GAS), 60 strains of group G streptococcus (GGS) and 20 strains of group C streptococcus (GCS) in order to understand current resistance trends. METHODS: All strains were tested by the Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method to 15 antibiotics. Resistant strains were confirmed by testing the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of antibiotics by broth dilution technique. RESULTS: Among GAS, highest resistance was observed to tetracycline (27.4%) and erythromycin (16.2%). The GGS and GCS tested, showed similar resistance patterns. CONCLUSION: All beta-hemolytic streptococci were susceptible to penicillin, amoxycillin, cephalosporins and linezolid. Resistance to erythromycin, tetracycline, clindamycin, chloramphenicol, and quinolones is emerging.
Subject(s)
Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Child , Drug Resistance, Bacterial , Humans , Larynx/microbiology , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Risk Factors , Sampling Studies , Sensitivity and Specificity , Streptococcus agalactiae/drug effects , Streptococcus pyogenes/drug effectsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Asymptomatic pharyngeal carriage of group A streptococci (GAS) in children may lead to spread of respiratory infections in the community. Data on healthy GAS carriers in the community are therefore important. We carried out this preliminary study to screen the school children from various parts of Chennai city, south India to detect pharyngeal carriage of GAS. METHODS: Throat swabs were collected from 1,173 school children aged 5 to 17 yr from different locations in Chennai. The isolates of beta haemolytic streptococci were serogrouped by agglutination tests using specific antisera. RESULTS: Beta haemolytic streptococci were isolated from 16.3 per cent of 1,102 asymptomatic children. 71 children of the study group had untreated tonsillitis positive for beta haemolytic streptococci. The percentage of asymptomatic GAS carriers was 8.4 per cent. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: The high carriage rate of beta haemolytic streptococci seen in children poses a threat to the community and should be checked. Regular screening needs to be done in various parts of the country.