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[Clinico-microbiological characteristics of meningitis caused by penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae]]

D Gómez-Barreto1, E Calderón-Jaimes, R S Rodríguez

  • 1Departamento de Infectología, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, México. dgbarreto30@hotmail.com

Salud Publica De Mexico
|January 6, 2001
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Antibiotic resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae causing childhood meningitis did not increase mortality. This study found similar outcomes for children infected with susceptible or resistant strains, highlighting the need for continued surveillance.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology
  • Antimicrobial Resistance

Context:

  • Pneumococcal meningitis remains a significant cause of childhood morbidity and mortality globally.
  • Increasing antimicrobial resistance poses a challenge to effective treatment.
  • Understanding resistance patterns is crucial for guiding clinical management.

Purpose:

  • To assess the antibiotic susceptibility of Streptococcus pneumoniae isolated from pediatric meningitis cases.
  • To compare clinical and microbiological features, treatment, and outcomes in children with susceptible versus resistant strains.
  • To evaluate the impact of penicillin and cephalosporin resistance on meningitis outcomes.

Summary:

  • A prospective study of 38 children with pneumococcal meningitis (1994-1998) identified significant rates of resistance to penicillin and cephalosporin.
  • Factors associated with resistance included underlying disease, but not previous antibiotic use.
  • Clinical courses and outcomes were similar between children infected with susceptible and non-susceptible strains.

Impact:

  • Current resistance levels of Streptococcus pneumoniae to penicillin and cephalosporin are not linked to increased mortality in pediatric meningitis.
  • Findings support the need for ongoing monitoring of antimicrobial resistance trends.
  • This research informs treatment guidelines and public health strategies for childhood meningitis.

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