Abstract

Background: Nasopharyngeal colonization by antibiotic resistant S. pneumoniae has been increasing steadily and it is the main source of horizontal spread within the community. The aim of this study was to determine nasopharyngeal carriage rate and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of S. pneumoniae among pediatrics.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 01, 2016 to January 30, 2017. A total of 293 pediatrics were included in the study. Socio-demographic and other relevant data was collected using semi-structured questionnaire. Nasopharyngeal swab was collected using sterile cotton swab and cultured on blood agar supplemented with 5% gentamycin. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion technique. Data were entered using Epi info 7 and transferred to SPSS 16 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were employed and P value of less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

Results: Among 293 study subjects, majority was male, 170 (58%) and age of participants’ ranges from 5 months to 14 years with mean age, 5 ±3.8 years. Carriage rate of S.pneumoniae was 74/293 (25.3%) and high among age group <3 years, 37/74 (50%). Being within age group < 3 years, habit of sleeping with parents/guardians and numbers of rooms per household were significantly associated with nasophyrengeal carriage rate. The isolates were susceptible to Erythromycin, Penicillin and Chloramphenicol. Whereas, high resistance was observed against Tetracycline, 36 (48.65%) followed by Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, 29 (39.2%). Conclusions: Nasopharyngeal carriage rate and antibiotic resistance against Tetracycline and Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole of S.pneumonae was high. Being within < 3 years age group, living in a single room and habit of sleeping with parents/guardians are risk factors for pneumococcal carriages. Strategies should be designed to prevent pneumococcal nasopharyngeal colonization and antibiotic resistance pattern should be monitored regularly.

Keywords: Streptococcus pneumoniae, Nasophyrengeal carriage, Antibiotics susceptibility, Pediatrics