ANTIBIOTIC SUSCEPTIBILITY OF GROUP-A STREPTOCOCCI IN A NATIONAL CONSULTANT HOSPITAL IN DAR-ES-SALAAM - A 4 YEAR FOLLOW-UP

Seventy one Group A streptococcal strains isolated between 1992 and 19 95 at Muhimbili Medical Centre in Dar es Salaam were found to be susce ptible to penicillin G and cotrimoxazole. All except two strains, whic h showed intermediate susceptibility, were susceptible to erythromycin . Sixty five strains (91.5%) were resistant to doxycycline. The findin gs confirm continuing efficacy of penicillin G, erythromycin and cotri moxazole in treating Group A streptococci (GAS). The low prevalence of GAS with intermediate susceptibility to erythromycin and resistance t o doxycycline by a majority of the GAS emphasise the need for regular monitoring of antibiotic susceptibility of GAS.