Antimicrobial Susceptibility Patterns of Bacteria Associated with Upper Respiratory Tract Infections in North and South Waziristan, Pakistan

Antimicrobial Susceptibility in URTIs in Waziristan

Authors

  • Syed Sohail Ahmad Rehman College of Allied Health Sciences, Rehman Medical Institute, Peshawar, Pakistan
  • Laraib Abid Department of Microbiology, Quaid e Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
  • Arooba Khalid Department of Microbiology, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61919/jhrr.v4i3.1582

Keywords:

antimicrobial resistance, upper respiratory tract infections, Staphylococcus aureus, viridans streptococci, antibiotic susceptibility, North Waziristan, South Waziristan, Kirby-Bauer

Abstract

Background: Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) are a significant cause of outpatient visits globally, with antimicrobial resistance (AMR) presenting a growing challenge to effective treatment. In Pakistan's tribal regions, limited healthcare access exacerbates this issue.
Objective: To determine the prevalence of bacterial pathogens causing URTIs and assess their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns in North and South Waziristan, Pakistan.
Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 300 throat swabs collected from outpatients between January and June 2023. Samples were inoculated on Blood, MacConkey, and Chocolate agars, followed by incubation at 37°C for 24 hours. Standard biochemical tests were used for bacterial identification, and the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method assessed antimicrobial susceptibility. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25.0, with p-values ≤ 0.05 considered significant.
Results: Pathogens were isolated in 93% of samples, with Staphylococcus aureus (40.2%), viridans group streptococci (35.7%), and Streptococcus pyogenes (17.1%) being the most common. Resistance was highest in viridans group streptococci (33.7% to tazobactam) and lowest in Streptococcus pyogenes (26.3%).
Conclusion: The high rates of resistance, particularly in viridans group streptococci, highlight the need for targeted interventions to mitigate AMR in this region.

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Published

2024-09-25

How to Cite

Syed Sohail Ahmad, Laraib Abid, & Arooba Khalid. (2024). Antimicrobial Susceptibility Patterns of Bacteria Associated with Upper Respiratory Tract Infections in North and South Waziristan, Pakistan: Antimicrobial Susceptibility in URTIs in Waziristan. Journal of Health and Rehabilitation Research, 4(3), 1–5. https://doi.org/10.61919/jhrr.v4i3.1582

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 3 (2024): Volume 4, Issue 3 - July to September 2024

Section

Articles

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Copyright (c) 2024 Syed Sohail Ahmad, Laraib Abid, Arooba Khalid

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