Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern of Group A Beta-Haemolytic Streptococcal Throat Isolates of Primary School Children in Rivers State, Nigeria

Group A beta-haemolytic streptococcus (GABHS) pharyngitis when untreated can cause non-suppurative sequelae such as acute rheumatic fever and post-streptococcal acute glomerulonephritis. Prompt treatment of infected individuals with appropriate antibiotics that the organism is susceptible to, is important in preventing these untoward complications.

This study intends to identify the antibiotic susceptibility of GABHS in Rivers State, Nigeria, and to guide health care workers in choosing effective antibiotic for the treatment of GABHS infections in children.

Methodology: Throat swabs were taken from primary school pupils aged 6 to 12 years in Rivers State between May and July 2015. The throat swabs were cultured using 5% sheep blood agar. Antibiotic susceptibility was carried out on the Group A beta-haemolytic streptococcal isolates. Data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0 using descriptive statistics. Chi square tests of significance were used with a 95% confidence interval (P< 0.05).

Results: A total of 18 out of 456 pupils had a positive streptococcal throat culture for GABHS giving a prevalence rate of 3.9%. The isolated GABHS were most susceptible to azithromycin (87%) followed by penicillin (81.5%) and ampicillin (64.8%). The pathogens were least susceptible to tetracycline (37%) and co-trimoxazole (18.5%).

Conclusion: The prevalence of GABHS was low and it was mostly susceptible to Azithromycin and penicillin. These could be used as the drug of choice in the empirical treatment of GABHS throat infection in the locality.