Etiological aspects of penicillin-failure in the treatment of tonsillitis and pharyngitis caused by group A, beta-hemolytic streptococci [GABHS]

ABSTRACT

To observe and study the cause of penicillin-failure and to see the therapeutic effects of other drugs and find out more effective and better remedy. A Retrospective study. This study was conducted in Microbiology Department, Basic Medical Sciences Institute, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, National institute of Child Health from April 2004 - June 2005. A total of 300 children attending OPD's and admitted [250 suspected and 50 Normal as control cases] of age group 5 - 15 years were included in this study. Drug sensitivity pattern of streptococcus pyogenes isolated in infected and control children was observed. Antibiotic discs used were Penicillin [10] units and Erythromycin [15 micrograms]. The organism isolated GABHS shows 100% sensitivity to penicillin, while in case of erythromycin, it was sensitive in 24[85.7%] infected cases and resistant to 4[14.3%] cases. Pharyngotonsillitis is a disease of poor community, the therapy with penicillin is economical compared with Cephalosporin group. Penicillin therapy is helpful in preventing the supporative and n supporative complications caused by GABHs