A prospective study was carried out to determine the pattern of
bacterial isolates and their antibiotic sensitivity amongst children
with tonsillopharyngitis. Consecutive children presenting with
sorethroat, difficulty with swallowing, fever and/ or evidence of
inflamed pharynx and/ or tonsils at the paediatric casualty of the
University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, between February and
October 2006 were recruited for the study. The patient's biodata were
obtained and socioeconomic status was determined. Throat swabs were
taken for microbiologic analysis. Seventy three throat swabs were
analysed. Bacteria were isolated from 39 patients. Of which 19 (48.72%)
were ß haemolytic Streptococcus (BHS). others were S. aureus
five (12.83%), seven (17.95%) were Klebsiella mirabilis and three
(7.69%) each of Pseudomonas aeroginosa and Proteus mirabilis . BHS
and S. aureus showed 100% sensitivity to cefuroxine, azithromycin,
ceftazidine and genticin. All the isolates had little or no sensitivity
to ampicillin and cotrimoxazole. BHS is a significant cause of
pharyngitis and tonsillitis in our environment and therefore poses a
potential danger of rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease, a
non-suppurative sequalae of BHS. Ampicillin and cotrimoxazole two
affordable and commonly available drugs are ineffective in tonsillitis
and pharygitis