A study on few medicinal plants extracts against drug resistant Streptococcus pyogenes isolated from paediatric cases of Salem district.

Streptococcus pyogenes, a group-A Streptococcus (GAS) continues to be a significant public health problem worldwide causing Rheumatic fever (RF) and Rheumatic heart disease (RHD).  35 S. pyogenes isolates from repeat samples of 87 suspected cases belonging to the age group 5 to 15 from Salem district, Tamilnadu, were found to be sensitive to Penicillin G, Bacitracin, Cephotaxime, Clindamycin, Amoxycillin, Ampicillin and Azithromycin antibiotics.  However, two isolates BMERF/DP/S9 and S15 showed resistance for the antibiotics Erythromycin and Ciprofloxacin.  The data were found to be statistically significant (p = 0.007).  Ethanolic extracts of Zingiber officinale, Allium sativum, Aloe vera, and Punica granatum were tested for their antibacterial activity against the dual drug resistant GAS isolates.  Among the herbal extracts, Punica granatum epicarp had a preponderant efficacy. Further phytochemical studies by HPLC revealed a predominant tannin fraction in the extract. It was concluded that Punica granatum epicarp extract could be an important alternate therapeutic agent in the management of drug resistant GAS.