BACTERIOLOGICAL PROFILE AND ANTIBIOTIC SENSITIVITY PATTERN OF ACUTE TONSILLITIS IN ADULTS IN A TERTIARY CARE CENTER.

DR ABHILASH A M

Volume : VIII, Issue : II, February - 2018

BACTERIOLOGICAL PROFILE AND ANTIBIOTIC SENSITIVITY PATTERN OF ACUTE TONSILLITIS IN ADULTS IN A TERTIARY CARE CENTER.

Dr Abhilash A M

Abstract :

Objective: The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence, identify the common pathogens and antibiotic sensitivity of acute tonsillitis in adults.

Materials and Methods: A descriptive study was carried out from January 2014 to January 2017among all adult patients attending the ENT outpatient department with acute tonsillitis. The data were retrieved from the medical records using a questionnaire. Statistical analysis was carried out and results were obtained.

Results: A total of 350 patients were included. 18 to 70 years was the average age group. The common clinical types of tonsillitis noted were acute parenchymatous / follicular / exudative tonsillitis. The highest frequency of acute tonsillitis was seen in 20– 29 year age group with the commonest symptoms at presentation being sore throat and fever. A similar clinical presentation during the previous year was noted in about 25% of the patients. Among the study participants whose throat swab cultures were done, Streptococcus was the commonest species identified, a majority being alpha haemolytic streptococci, followed by streptococcus pyogenes and streptococcus pneumoniae. Most of these organisms were sensitive to Amoxyclavulanic acid and cephalosporins. The majority of patients responded to treatment with oral or parenteral antibiotics of the above group. Other few multidrug resistant patients were treated with piperacillin, ceftriaxone, cefotaxime and meropenem.

Conclusion: Therapeutic guidelines for optimum clinical response to acute tonsillitis among adult patients can be developed based on the common organisms grown on throat swab and their antibiotic sensitivity pattern to reduce patient morbidity and provide cost effective treatment.