The prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of beta-hemolytic streptococci colonizing the throats of schoolchildren in Assam, India

Authors

  • Utpala Devi Regional Medical Research Centre, N.E.Region (ICMR), Po.Box 105, Dibrugarh, Assam, India
  • Prasanta Kumar Borah Regional Medical Research Centre, N.E.Region (ICMR), Po.Box 105, Dibrugarh, Assam, India
  • Jagadish Mahanta Regional Medical Research Centre, N.E.Region (ICMR), Po.Box 105, Dibrugarh, Assam, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.1465

Keywords:

Beta-hemolytic streptococci, schoolchildren, Assam, India

Abstract

Introduction: Studies on the carriage rate of beta-hemolytic streptococci among children form an important component of public health practice to prevent disease complications such as rheumatic fever/rheumatic heart disease, nephritis, and other local or systemic infections.

Methodology: Throat swabs collected from asymptomatic schoolchildren were inoculated into appropriate media for isolation of beta-hemolytic streptococci. They were identified by standard biochemical methods and sero-grouped. Antibiotic sensitivity was evaluated using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method.

Results and Conclusion: Beta-hemolytic streptococci were isolated from 106 (7.7%) out of the 1,384 throat swabs and Group F was the predominant sero-group isolated. The highest resistance observed among all the beta-hemolytic streptococci was to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.

 

Author Biographies

Utpala Devi, Regional Medical Research Centre, N.E.Region (ICMR), Po.Box 105, Dibrugarh, Assam, India

Scientist B

Enteric Disease Section

Regional Medical Research Centre, N.E.Region(ICMR), Post Box No-105, Dibrugarh, Assam, India

Prasanta Kumar Borah, Regional Medical Research Centre, N.E.Region (ICMR), Po.Box 105, Dibrugarh, Assam, India

Scientist C

Division of Epidemiology and Nutrition

Regional Medical Research Centre, N.E.Region(ICMR), Post Box No-105, Dibrugarh, Assam, India

Jagadish Mahanta, Regional Medical Research Centre, N.E.Region (ICMR), Po.Box 105, Dibrugarh, Assam, India

Director

Regional Medical Research Centre, N.E.Region(ICMR), Post Box No-105, Dibrugarh, Assam, India

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Published

2011-11-09

How to Cite

1.
Devi U, Borah PK, Mahanta J (2011) The prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of beta-hemolytic streptococci colonizing the throats of schoolchildren in Assam, India. J Infect Dev Ctries 5:804–808. doi: 10.3855/jidc.1465

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Section

Brief Original Articles