The Prevalence of Group A Streptococcus as a Re-Emerging Microorganism in Port Harcourt Metropolis

Abstract

Streptococcus pyogenes is a Group A β-haemolytic Streptococcus, responsible for pyogenic infections especially among children. Its diagnostic detection has been a challenge especially in hospitals with limited resources. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Streptococcus pyogenes among patients attending University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. This study was hospital based with total of 100 (one hundred) throat swabs examined. The methods and analyses used include crystal violet blood agar culture, bacitracin sensitivity testing, Gram stain, catalase test and microscopic examination. This study found that 5% of throat swab examined detected Streptococcus pyogenes from children between the age of <1 – 25 years. The isolates classified as Streptococcus pyogenes were only those that grew on crystal violet blood agar, which is gram positive and catalase negative cocci. This present study has shown that with proper diagnostic tools and procedures, Streptococcus pyogenes exist in the study area and this should be treated as public health issue of great concern.