Antimicrobial Resistance Pattern Of Invasive Group A Streptococci From Various Clinical Samples In A Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Background: Group A streptococcus[GAS] causes illness ranging from self- limiting pharyngitis to life threating systemic and invasive infection. In India, there is a sharp rise of 2%-38% macrolide resistance among GAS isolates. Hence this study is done to know the prevalence of antibiotic resistance among GAS isolates.

Materials and Methods:Samples (pus, sputum, blood) were collected & processed as per standardprotocol; Group A Streptococcus were isolated. Antibiogram done as per CLSI guidelines, MIC done by E-test.

Results: 52 Beta haemolytic streptococci(BHS) were isolates of which 36(69.23%) were Group AStreptococci(GAS), 28(53.84%) were in the age group above 60 years. Erythromycin resistance is seen in 19 (52.77%) isolates of GAS, followed by Tetracycline resistance seen in 17(47.22%) isolates. MIC of Erythromycin were in the range of (0.5 to 256) for 17 isolates, of which 12 isolates exhibited M phenotype.

Conclusion:

In our study GAS isolates showed higher resistance towards erythromycin, this prevailing rise in macrolide resistance is due to the misuse, over use, and easy availability of drugs over the counters. Hence there must be a regular surveillance of antibiotic resistance phenotypically to accurately identify the resistant isolates.