Antibacterial Spectrum Of Umckaloabo ( Pelargonium Sidoides ) On Upper Airway Infection Agents

Aim : In this study we aimed to search the antibacterial effect of the drugs with active ingredients of Pelargonium sidoides on different bacterial species isolated from the throat cultures of patients with upper airway infection. Methods : Antibacterial activity on 72 Streptococci, 48 Stapyhlococcus, 32 Neisseriae spp, 20 Moraxella catarrhalis, and 20 Haemophilus influenzae was evaluated by using microdilution broth method. Results : Antibacterial effect was detected on 8 Neisseriae spp, 4 Haemophilus influenzae, 4 Streptococcus pneumoniae, 4 Staphylococcus epidermidis and 4 Moraxella catharralis at 200 microgram and higher concentrations of the drug; but no mean-ingful antibacterial activity on other kinds of bacteria tested was observed. Conclusion : The scientific data with respect to antibacterial effect of Pelargonium sidoides are hopeful, but it is unadvisable to use this drug instead of antibiotic treatments