Antimicrobial Activity of Propolis Extract on URT Infections in Pediatric Patients Admitted to Al-Thowrah Hospital, Hodeidah City, Yemen

2 Abstract: The study was aimed at determining the causal microbial agents of URT infections in children and the susceptibility of isolates to antibiotics and propolis as a natural antimicrobial substance. A total of 17 throat swabs was obtained from children patients (aged up to 11 years) who were diagnosed with upper respiratory tract infections attending Al-Thawrah hospital, Hodeidah City. Samples were collected between April and June, 2011, cultured and the isolates were characterized by standard microbiological procedures. Of the 17 samples, 9 children had positive cultures with Streptococcus pyogenes having the highest prevalence (52.9 %), followed by 2 Haemophilus influenzae (11.8 %) and 6 isolates were identified as Candida albicans (35.3 %). The highest rate of Streptococcus pyogenes isolates was from the age group of 8 - 11 years. Haemophilus influenzae was not isolated in age group 3. The highest presence of Candida albicans was recorded in the age group 3. All isolates of S. pyogenes were susceptible to ciprofloxacin, amoxacillin and cephalixin. Some isolates showed resistance to ampicillin and erythromycin. The two isolates of H. influenzae were sensitive to ciprofloxacin, lincomycin and cephalixin, while erythromycin was ineffective. Nystatin recorded positive antifungal activity against the isolates of C. albicans. Propolis antimicrobial activity revealed that all isolates were sensitive. The growth of S. pyogenes, H. influenzae and C. albicans was inhibited by using propolis at MIC of 200 mg/ml with zones of inhibition of 24, 17 and 19 mm, respectively. The efficacy of propolis as a treatment of URT infections in 41 pediatric patients was also tested. An enhanced antimicrobial effect was obtained by using a mixture of propolis and goat's milk. A complete remission of both streptococcal and candidal symptoms was attained in a shorter time (2-5 days) than the time of recovery achieved by using each agent singly in all children. The findings suggest that propolis mixed with goat's milk is a very effective antimicrobial agent for the treatment and management of throat infections caused by bacterial and candidal species in children.