Background : Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Streptococcus pneumoniae are the most common causative agents of respiratory tract infections (RTIs). The increase in resistance to current antibacterial agents highlights the need to monitor the resistance pattern of these bacterial pathogens. Methodology: In this study, we assessed the antibacterial susceptibility of these pathogens causing respiratory tract infections in Dakar, Senegal, during 2007. A total of 290 bacterial isolates (75 H. influenzae, 10 M. catarrhalis, 105 S. pneumoniae, and 100 S. pyogenes) were collected. Results and Conclusions: All H. influenzae isolates were susceptible to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, ofloxacin, clarithromycin, cephalosporins, and macrolides. Overall, 26.7% of H. influenzae isolates were completely resistant to ampicillin. Among the M. catarrhalis isolates, 30% were resistant to ampicillin. All the isolates of H. influenzae and M. catarrhalis that were resistant to ampicillin were beta-lactamase producing strains. Among the S. pneumoniae isolates, 33.3% isolates exhibited intermediate susceptibility to penicillin G, and one isolate was completely resistant. All five isolates that were resistant to erythromycin expressed the M phenotype. S. pyogenes exhibited high susceptibility to all other antibiotics, except tetracycline. Our study suggests that except for M. catarrhalis, all other bacterial isolates are susceptible to cephalosporins, macrolides, and fluroquinolones.

Development of antibiotic resistance among common respiratory pathogens is a major cause of concern worldwide. Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae are among the most common respiratory pathogens. In this study, representative samples obtained from 3 different medical centers in Dakar, Senegal were subjected to antibiotic susceptibility testing. The samples were collected from 2005 to 2008 and the data obtained was compared to establish resistance patterns between the two years (i.e. 2005–2006 to 2007–2008). S. pneumoniae exhibited a significant increase in the resistance to azithromycin and the intermediate susceptibility to penicillin G and cotrimoxazole. H. influenzae also exhibited a significant increase in resistance to azithromycin and intermediate susceptibility to chloramphenicol. None of H. influenzae samples were resistant to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, cephalosporin and fluroquinolones and most of the S. pneumoniae isolates demonstrated high susceptibility to the antibiotics tested. Results from this study will provide greater insights to antibiotic therapy during respiratory tract infections in Dakar, Senegal. This study also establishes the importance of continuous monitoring of antibiotic susceptibility patterns that are often region-specific.