Abstract:
Background: S.pyogenes or Group A Streptococcus (GAS) causes each year hundreds of
thousands mainly morbidity in developing countries. GAS differs from the other pyogenic
bacteria in its potential to produce delayed, nonsuppurative sequelae. Asymptomatic pharyngeal
carriage rate of GAS is important in transmission of infections. Report on prevalence, related
factors, and antimicrobial susceptibility test of GAS among school children in Ethiopia were very
limited.
Objectives: To determine the asymptomatic pharyngeal carriage rate of S.pyogenes, to assess
associated risk factors and to determine its antimicrobial susceptibility pattern among school
children in Hawassa town, South Ethiopia
Methods: A total of 287 school children aged 5-15years were enrolled in this study during May to
October2014. Ethical clearance and informed consents were obtained before data collection.
Demographic data were collected by structured questionnaire which was administered by a trained
nurse. Throat swabs were collected and inoculated in to Amies transport media. S.pyogenes were
identified by colony appearance, Gram stain, Catalase test, 0.04U Bacitracin disks and PYR tests.
Antibiotic susceptibility test was performed using disc diffusion method. Results were interpreted as
per the recommendations of National Committee for the Clinical laboratory standard institute
guideline. Descriptive and Logistic regression modal were used for analysis.
Results: Out of 287school children screened,140 (48.8%)were female and 147(51.2%) were male.
Overall, S.pyogenes was isolated from 12.2% (35/287)of the children. Higher carriage rate was
observed in females 23(16.4%) than males 12(8.2%)(P<0.05). Low income of family was
significantly associated with carriage rate ( p<0.05).The higher susceptible group were; age 5-8yrs
12(17.1%), those with illiterate parents 19(15.8%), grade one 9(15.8%), with past history of
recurrences of URTI 6(14.6%), and family size of more than 8 members 5(15.6%) observed. High
level resistance to Tetracycline and low level resistance to Vancomycin was observed, while isolates
were sensitive to Penicillin, Amoxacline, Erythromycin, Chloramphenicol, and Ceftriaxone.
Resistance against one or more antibiotics was 68.6% (24/35).Out of a total, 29.2% (7/24)
showed multiple drug resistances
Conclusion and Recommendations: The present study showed that the carriage rates of S.pyognes
among school children in Hawassa not different from others few findings in Ethiopia. Although, the
further large scale study in the area should be undertaken; we recommend that emphasis has to be
given to the female children, improvement of income of family as well as implementation of
rational empirical usage of antibiotic therapy in the area should be mandatory
