Abstract
Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of group A beta-hemolytic pharyngitis by assessing the outcome of the culture and the resistance and sensitivity of group A beta hemolytic Streptococcus to antibiotics.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 170 patients aged 3-15 years, referred to the clinic with complaints of sore throat. Patients’ history was collected and physical examination was performed and was score based on clinical findings. Patients with other underlying pathologies and those taking antibiotics prior to the study were excluded from our study. Antimicrobial susceptibility test was performed by disk diffusion method against cephalexin, cefazolin, erythromycin and amoxicillin.
Results: A total of 170 patients were reported with sore throat. Patients with positive culture results were 60% male and 40% female. Amoxicillin resistance was the greatest (5%) in the culture. All isolated bacteria were sensitive to amoxicillin, cephalexin, cefazolin and erythromycin. Patients with McIssac score ≥ 6 showed clinical sensitivity 75% specificity 61% negative predictive value 94.8% and positive predictive value 20.3% for Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal pharyngitis.
Conclusion: The results showed the higher the clinical score, the greater the chance of positive throat culture.
Keywords: Beta-hemolytic Streptococcus Group A, bacterial resistance, pharyngitis, MsIssac, scoring, antibiotic Susceptibility, tonsillopharyngitis.
Graphical Abstract