Molecular Identification of <i>Streptococcus pyogenes</i> in Isolates from Children with Pharyngitis, Gezira State, Sudan 2022

Abstract

Background: Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A streptococcus) is an important Gram-positive human pathogen affected the upper respiratory tract, such as the tonsils and pharynx, and is also induces post-infection diseases such as rheumatic fever and glomerulonephritis. This study aim to isolate Streptococcus pyogenes from children with pharyngitis and to evaluate the molecular identification of S. pyogenes compared with conventional methods. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted on total of 200 throat swab samples which were collected from children with pharyngitis referred to Wad medani Pediatric Teaching Hospital and Wad medani ENT hospital from January to November 2021. Demographic and clinical data were collected by questionnaire. Throat swabs were tested with the standard microbiological techniques to isolated Group A streptococcus (GAS). Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed to all GAS isolates using the Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method according to clinical laboratory standard institute (CLSI) guidelines. Additionally, PCR was used to identify Spy 1258 gene of isolated bacteria. Results: From all throat swab samples screened, 51 isolates (25.5%) were identified as GAS. Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed that all the GAS isolates were sensitive to Penicillin and Azithromycin. Sensitivity to Erythromycin, Gentamicin, Clarithromycin, Amoxicillin and Cephalexin were 88.2%, 86.3%, 45.1%, 41.2%, 13.7%, respectively. Based on PCR identification of Spy 1258 gene the percentage of isolated bacteria was 21%. Conclusion: The rate of isolated Streptococcus pyogenes was 25.5% by conventional methods and 21% by PCR. The bacteria were sensitive to Penicillin and Azithromycin. The Spy 1258 gene was specific for detection of Streptococcus pyogenes.