PHARYNGITIS: BACTERIAL ISOLATES AND DRUG SUSCEPTIBILITY PATTERN

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of bacterial isolates and their sensitivity pattern in patients with

pharyngitis.

Material and Methods: This study was conducted in the department of ENT and microbiology section of

pathology department of Khyber Teaching Hospital Peshawar from January 2003 to December 2003.

Patients, who had acute pharyngitis and were not receiving any antimicrobial agent for the last seven

days, were included in the study. Throat swabs were taken from each case and sent to microbiology unit.

Swabs were streaked onto appropriate media and growth if any were cultured and identified by various

methods. Susceptibility was tested by standard disc diffusion method.

Results: Out of 150 throat swabs, 109 (72.66%) had normal flora and no pathogenic organism was

isolated. Only 41 (27.34%) yielded growth of pathogenic microbes. The commonest pathogen was beta

haemolytic streptococci (BHS). Out of 41 pathogenic microorganisms, 17 (41.46%) were BHS, 4 (9.75%)

each Klebsiella spp. and Haemophilus influenzae. Generally all the pathogens were sensitive to the agents

in combinations, quinolones, co-amoxiclave and amikacin. Cephradine and macrolides were least effective.

Conclusion: Despite clinical presentation, majority of the throat swabs did not yield growth of pathogenic

bacteria. Commonest pathogens were BHS followed by Klebsiella spp and H. influenzae. The most effective

antibiotics were those in combination like sulzone (cefoperazone + sulbactam) and tazocin (tazobactam +

piperacillin). Quinolones, co-amoxiclave and amikacin were also effective while cephradine and macrolides

were least effective.