Related Experiment Videos
Streptococcus pneumoniae penicillin resistance in Turkey
1Hacettepe University, Children's Hospital, Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Ankara, Turkey. dg01-k@tr.net
Abstract:
Resistance of Streptococcus pneumoniae (750) to penicillin, erythromycin, chloramphenicol and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole isolated in 4 Turkish hospitals between 1996 and 1999 was evaluated according to year of isolation, patients' age groups and specimen. Penicillin susceptibility was determined by E-test strips and the other antibiotics were tested by disk diffusion test following the NCCLS guidelines in each center. Overall high and intermediate resistance to penicillin was 3% and 29%, respectively. There was a significant difference (p<0.001) between the centers with regard to penicillin resistance. However, there was no significant increase in resistance by year. Penicillin resistance varied significantly among children and adults (36% versus 25%) and according to the specimen. Highest rate of penicillin resistance was observed in respiratory specimens (36%) followed by ear exudates (33.5%). In blood isolates, resistance to penicillin was 28.6%. Overall resistance to erythromycin was 8%, to chloramphenicol 5% and to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole 47%. Although overall penicillin resistance in these Turkish S. pneumoniae isolates is high, resistance rates vary in each center and have not increased from 1996 to 1999.
Insights
High penicillin resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) was found in Turkish hospitals, varying by location and patient age but not increasing over time. Other antibiotic resistance rates were also evaluated.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Antimicrobial Resistance
Background:
- Streptococcus pneumoniae is a leading cause of bacterial infections worldwide.
- Antimicrobial resistance in S. pneumoniae poses a significant public health threat.
- Monitoring resistance patterns is crucial for effective treatment strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the resistance of S. pneumoniae isolates to penicillin, erythromycin, chloramphenicol, and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole.
- To analyze resistance trends based on year of isolation, patient age, and specimen type in Turkish hospitals.
Main Methods:
- Isolates of S. pneumoniae (n=750) were collected from four Turkish hospitals between 1996 and 1999.
- Penicillin susceptibility was determined using E-test strips.
- Resistance to erythromycin, chloramphenicol, and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole was assessed via disk diffusion tests following NCCLS guidelines.
Main Results:
- Overall high and intermediate penicillin resistance was 3% and 29%, respectively.
- Penicillin resistance rates differed significantly between hospitals (p<0.001) and patient age groups (36% in children vs. 25% in adults).
- Highest penicillin resistance was observed in respiratory specimens (36%) and ear exudates (33.5%). Resistance to erythromycin, chloramphenicol, and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole was 8%, 5%, and 47%, respectively.
Conclusions:
- Overall penicillin resistance in Turkish S. pneumoniae isolates is high.
- Resistance rates exhibit significant variation across different centers and patient demographics.
- No significant increase in penicillin resistance was observed between 1996 and 1999.