Increasing erythromycin resistance among group A streptococci causing tonsillitis in a tertiary care hospital in southern India

Authors: Brahmadathan, K. N.; Anitha, P.; Gladstone, P.

Source: Clinical Microbiology & Infection, Volume 11, Number 4, April 2005 , pp. 335-337(3)

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Abstract:

Group A streptococci (GAS) (n = 1313) isolated from patients with clinical symptoms of pharyngitis or tonsillitis attending a tertiary care hospital in southern India during 1986–2002 were tested for susceptibility to penicillin and erythromycin. The overall erythromycin resistance rate was 2.7% (n = 36). During 1986–1993, erythromycin resistance was observed in only one (2%) isolate in 1987, but reappeared in 1994 (2.7%), increased to 5.8% in 1999, and reached a maximum frequency of 13.8% in 2002. All isolates were susceptible to penicillin. The data indicate the need for continued surveillance of susceptibility patterns among GAS isolates in order to monitor the development of antibiotic resistance.

Keywords: Erythromycin resistance; group A streptococci; macrolides; penicillin; resistance; streptococci

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-0691.2005.01100.x

Publication date: 2005-04-01