PHARYNGITIS: BACTERIAL ISOLATES AND DRUG SUSCEPTIBILITY PATTERN

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.