ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Pneumococcal diseases remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Streptococcus Pneumoniae causing pneumonia in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan in children under 5 years of age and older adults. Therefore; the present research was design to study the different microbiological aspects of Streptococcus pneumoniae. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 480 sputum samples were collected from pneumonia patient at different government hospitals of Quetta. The detail of patient's gender, age, economical status and educational status were taken on performa. Sputum samples were inoculated into selective strep agar Streptococcus pneumonia colonies were observed on plates and confirmed through different biochemical tests and PCR. RESULTS: Total 480 samples were collected in which 36.6% were Streptococcus pneumoniae positive and 63.3% were negative. The sex wise ratio showed that female (24.10%) were more affected with pneumoniae as compare to male (12.50%). The pneumonia infection age wise distribution was 9% in 1-10 years old patients, 16% in 10-20 years old patients and 11% in 20-30 years old patients. The status wise distribution of pneumonia infection showed that lower class (16%) was more affected as compare to middle class and higher class of Quetta. The percentage of pneumonia infection in hazara race was 14%, in Pathan 8.30%, in Punjabi 7.60% and in Baloch 6.60%. It was seen that illiterate patients were more affected with pneumonia infection (28.3%) than literate (8.3%). The Streptococcus pneumoniae was confirmed through gram staining, different biochemical tests, different sugar fermentation tests and PCR. Whereas confirmed by PCR showed clear band of 329 kb of ply gene. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that the rate of pneumonia infection was high in female and lower class was more affected with pneumonia.
