Abstract

Amaihunwa Kingsley Chukwuka, Eneni Aya-Ebi Okubo, Ovwasa Felicia Tega, Uwaigbe Caleb Ifeanyi and Enwa Felix Oghenemaro*

ABSTRACT

The upper respiratory tract harbours various microorganisms. These microbes can cause severe debilitating health Conditions. This study is aimed at evaluating the Quinolones' pattern of activity on bacterial isolates of the upper respiratory tract of Delta State University Students. Eighty (80) swabs were collected as throat samples which yielded growth upon incubation at a temperature of 37C for 24 hours. Biochemical tests were carried out to characterise the bacteria isolates; antibiotic susceptibility testing was carried out using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. The results showed that Micrococcus species accounted for 26 (32.5%) while Staphylococcus aureus accounted for 16 (20%). While 38 of the swabs had no growth (47.5%), the micrococcus species was the most prevalent microorganism in the throat. Micrococcus species showed the highest susceptibility to ofloxacin (100%) and azithromycin (100%), followed by erythromycin (96.15%) and gentamycin (96.15%) and the lowest susceptibility to amoxiclav (3.84%) and CRO (3.84%). A similar result was obtained for Staph aureus, where the highest susceptibility occurred with ofloxacin (100%) and azithromycin (100%), followed by erythromycin (93.75%), gentamycin (93.75%) and the lowest susceptibility to amoxiclav (6.25%). This study revealed that micrococcus species and Staph aureus are significant health challenges regarding upper respiratory tract infections.