Bacterial Microbiota and Antibiogram Profile in Children With Acute Tonsillitis. A Guide to Treatment.

Abstract Purpose: Acute tonsillitis remains one of the common childhood diseases in developing countries. Prompt and appropriate treatment based on the knowledge of the causative microbiota and their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern will improve the treatment outcome and reduce time and resources spent on treatment. This study aimed to determine the pattern of microbiota isolates and their susceptibility pattern. Methods: The study was a combination of retrospective and cross-sectional method. The medical records of children treated for tonsillitis were retrieved, as well as children who presented with acute tonsillitis were recruited in the study. Interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data, as well as document information retrieved from their medical record: presenting symptoms, treatments received. Swab sample was taken for culture and antibiotic susceptibility test. Results: Out of the 72 swab cultures, most 29 (40.3%) yielded insignificant growth of gram positive cocci. A total of nine (9) different isolates were obtained from all the significant swab culture. Streptococcus species (13, 18.6%) and staphylococcus species (11, 15.3%) were the commonest isolates. Imipenem and levofloxacin revealed high level of susceptibility, while Ampicillin and Cefixine recorded high resistance rates. Conclusion: The proportion of the cultures that were positive of significant growth, the proportion of these positive isolates that were Streptococcus Spp. and varied sensitivity pattern obtained underpinned the important to advocate for culture isolates and susceptibility pattern guided treatment. This will not only an efficient approach to management of acute tonsillitis, but also a strong approach towards effective implementation of antibiotic stewardship.