Impact de l'usage irrationnel des antibiotiques en communauté et la prévalence des bactéries multirésistantes : évaluation de l’activité antibactérienne de plantes médicinales comme alternative thérapeutique

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance is a major public health concern driven by the irrational use of antibiotics. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between inappropriate antibiotic use among children aged 5–12 years and the prevalence of multidrug-resistant bacteria (MDR), while assessing the antibacterial activity of the essential oils of Thymus vulgaris and Eucalyptus globulus.The study included a cross-sectional survey involving 100 mothers and an experimental investigation on seven pathogenic bacterial strains. The findings revealed a 37% rate of self-medication, 15% of mothers requesting antibiotic prescriptions, and poor awareness of MDR bacteria among 80% of the participants. Antibiotic susceptibility testing confirmed the presence of several multidrug-resistant strains, particularly Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Acinetobacter baumannii. The extraction yields of the essential oils were 1.3% for Thymus vulgaris and 0.81% for Eucalyptus globulus. Aromatogram analysis demonstrated strong antibacterial activity of Thymus vulgaris, with inhibition zones ranging from 23 to 45 mm, while the combination of both essential oils exhibited a bactericidal effect against all tested strains (MBC/MIC ≤ 4), indicating a synergistic interaction.These findings demonstrate that the irrational use of antibiotics contributes to the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria and highlight the potential of Thymus vulgaris, particularly in combination with Eucalyptus globulus, as a promising alternative in combating antimicrobial resistance. The study also emphasizes the importance of strengthening parental awareness and promoting the rational use of antibiotics.