Objective: To examine and evaluate the predominant and common etiologic agent(s) of
pharyngitis in Sukkur city and to determine their current antibiotic
susceptibility/resistance trends.
Methods: Out of 257 throat samples, 149 positive for Streptococcus pyogenes Group A
between November 2001 and May 2003 from adult population of Sukkur city were tested
for their susceptibility to erythromycin, clindamycin, azithromycin and clairithromycin.
The throat samples (swabs) were examined by Gram-stain, API system, and for presence
of β-hemolysis. Samples were further cultured on Muller Hinton agar for determination
of antibiotic sensitivity patterns. The sensitivity was performed on only those samples
which were positive for S. pyogenes.
Results: Of all throat isolates, 95% were predominantly resistant to erythromycin. Their
sensitivity towards clindamycin was 30%, azithromycin 44% and clairithromycin 76%
respectively.
Conclusion: The current pharyngeal isolates of S. pyogenes exhibited frequent and
alarmingly high erythromycin resistance which may be due to both intrinsic and acquired
mechanisms. (Rawal Med J 2007;32:11-13)
Key words: Group A Streptococcal fresh throat isolates, Erythromycin, resistance
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