A. Siva Kumar
BACKGROUND The morbidity due to Tonsillo-Pharyngitis in children following a Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is very important in ENT practice. It accounts to more than 25% of all the bacterial infections. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of Group A Streptococcus (GAS) and their susceptibility to antibiotics in Tonsillo-Pharyngitis patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS 176 children having Tonsillo-Pharyngitis, out of 3086 children surveyed in rural residential schools were included in the study. Demographic and clinical data were recorded in a Proforma. Collected throat swabs were processed with the standard microbiological techniques to isolate GAS. For antimicrobial susceptibility testing disc diffusion method was used. RESULTS Out of 176 students male children were 53 (71.62%) and female were 21 (28.37%) among 5 - 9 years age (74); 54 (52.94%) and females were 48 (47.05%) among 10 - 15 years (102). Male-to-female ratio was 1:1.5. Isolates of GAS were susceptible to Penicillins and Clindamycin; 14.20% positive cultures for GAS organism observed. CONCLUSION The overall prevalence of GAS positive culture was 14.20%, which was slightly higher than similar studies all over the world except USA, Tunisia, Yemen and Brazil. In our study, all GAS isolates remained susceptible to penicillin, Ceftriaxone and Clindamycin but showed resistance to Erythromycin.
