Asymptomatic colonization of upper respiratory tract by potential bacterial pathogens.
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Date
2010-07
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Abstract
Objective. To screen for asymptomatic respiratory carriage of S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae and Group A Streptococcus (GAS) in children attending JIPMER, correlate carriage rate with different socio-demographic factors and to detect antimicrobial
resistance among the isolates.
Methods. Throat swabs were collected from both in patients and out patients (≤12 yr of age) and processed. Bacteria were
identified by standard techniques. Susceptibility to commonly used antimicrobial agents was determined by Kirby Bauer disc
diffusion technique.
Results. Overall carriage rate of respiratory pathogens was 30% with S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae and GAS accounting for
22%, 5% and 4.5% respectively. Three patients had >1 organism. Antibiotic resistance was highest in S. pneumoniae with
66.7% of strains resistant to penicillin. MDR strains were also encountered. Erythromycin resistance was observed in both H.
influenzae (28.4%) and GAS (22%).No statistically significant association was found between the carriage rate of these
organisms and different socio-demographic factors.
Conclusions. S. pneumoniae carriage rate was comparatively higher in the community and its antimicrobial resistance is an issue to address.
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Keywords
Bacterial colonization, Upper respiratory tract, Sociodemographic factors, Antibiotic resistance
Citation
Dhakal R, Sujatha S, Parija S C, Bhat B V. Asymptomatic colonization of upper respiratory tract by potential bacterial pathogens. Indian Journal of Pediatrics. 2010 July; 77(7): 775-778.