Patterns of Bacteriological Profile Resistance and Sensitivity to Antibiotics in Tonsillitis Patients
Tonsillitis is a common condition often caused by bacterial or viral infections, with chronic cases frequently associated with gram-positive and gram-negative organisms. Rising antibiotic resistance poses significant challenges in management, highlighting the importance of local susceptibility data. This study aimed to determine the bacterial profiles and antibiotic resistance and sensitivity patterns in patients with tonsillitis. An analytic observational study was conducted from December 2024 to March 2025 at Dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo General Hospital and Hasanuddin University Hospital, Makassar. Thirty patients diagnosed with tonsillitis were enrolled through consecutive sampling. Tonsillar swabs were collected, and bacterial identification with antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using the VITEK 2 system. Descriptive statistical analysis was conducted to determine microbial distribution and resistance patterns. The most frequently isolated pathogens were Streptococcus acidominimus (23.3%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (16.7%), Gardnerella vaginalis (13.3%), and Staphylococcus aureus (10.0%). Overall, the highest sensitivity was observed to erythromycin and tetracycline (8.6% each), followed by linezolid (7.9%) and vancomycin (6.6%). In contrast, ampicillin (30.8%) and penicillin G (15.4%) showed the highest resistance rates. Species-specific patterns revealed complete resistance of K. pneumoniae to ampicillin, while S. aureus displayed high resistance to penicillin G (75%) but retained sensitivity to clindamycin, erythromycin, oxacillin, and vancomycin. Tonsillitis in this cohort was predominantly caused by gram-positive bacteria, with notable resistance to ampicillin and penicillin G. Macrolides, linezolid, and broad-spectrum beta-lactams demonstrated superior efficacy. Continuous surveillance of bacterial profiles and resistance trends is essential to guide rational antibiotic use and optimize treatment outcomes.