Antibiogram Analysis of Pathogenic Bacteria Isolated from Throat Swabs in District Peshawar.

Abstract

Background: Throat infections, such as pharyngitis and tonsillitis, are common and usually cause symptoms such as sore throat, fever, and discomfort. This study aimed to identify the bacterial pathogens responsible for these infections and analyze their antibiotic resistance patterns that area.                                                                                                                                                         Methods: A total of 40 throat swabs were randomly collected between September 15, 2024, and February 15, 2025, from private clinics in District Peshawar and inoculated onto MacConkey agar, Blood and Nutrient agar at 37^oC for 24 hrs. Bacterial pathogens were identified using microscopy, biochemical tests, and sugar fermentation. The antibiotic susceptibility of the isolates was assessed according to CLSI and relevant guidelines.                                                                                                                                                                                              Results: The bacterial isolates identified in this study included Neisseria meningitidis (22.86%), Corynebacterium spp. (20%), Staphylococcus aureus (17.14%), and Moraxella catarrhalis (14.28%). Other organisms detected were Streptococcus pyogenes (8.57%), Listeria spp. (5.71%), Bacillus spp. (5.71%), and Micrococcus spp. (5.71%). Antibiotic sensitivity testing was performed using the disc diffusion method with commonly prescribed antibiotics which included azithromycin (15μg), doxycycline (30μg), penicillin (10μg), ceftriaxone (30μg), and amoxicillin (25μg). Azithromycin was the most effective antibiotic, with very little resistance observed, and followed by doxycycline. In contrast, ceftriaxone showed limited effectiveness. A high level of resistance was also observed against penicillin and amoxicillin in this study.                                                                                                                                                   Conclusion: Throat infections require careful monitoring because of the variability in antibiotic resistance among different pathogens. Regular review of resistance patterns is crucial to ensure proper and effective treatment. Conducting Large-scale studies is necessary to better track and understand antibiotic resistance in the area.