Antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of bacteria isolated from pyogenic oro-facial lesions in Dar es Salaam

The aim of this study was to identify bacterial agents responsible for oro-facial infections in patients referred to Muhimbili Medical Centre in Dar es Salaam and to investigate their sensitivity pattern to the commonly used antibiotics. According to our results the most common agent was S. aureus, which accounted for about one third of all isolates. The other notable agents were Viridans streptococci, Enterococcus faecalis and Klebsiella spp. Most isolates were sensitive to erythromycin, cloxacillin, cotrimoxazole, ampicillin, amoxycillin and penicillin G. None of the antibiotics was effective in combating all infections, underlining the need for routine culture and sensitivity. However, where laboratory facilities are lacking, as may be the case in peripheral clinics, erythromycin, cloxacillin, chloramphenicol and cotrimoxazole could be used for blind treatment. This, however, has to be guided by continuous drug surveillance.