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The molecular epidemiology of penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae in the United States, 1994-2000

S S Richter1, K P Heilmann, S L Coffman

  • 1Medical Microbiology Division, Department of Pathology, University of Iowa College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA. sandra-richter@uiowa.edu

Clinical Infectious Diseases : an Official Publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America
|January 5, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (PRSP) in the US primarily spread through a few dominant clones. These clones carry multiple antibiotic resistance genes, contributing to the rise of PRSP.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Genetics
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (PRSP) poses a significant public health challenge.
  • Understanding the genetic diversity and spread of PRSP is crucial for effective control strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the genetic relatedness of PRSP isolates in the United States.
  • To identify the dominant clones and their contribution to the emergence of PRSP.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) to analyze the genetic profiles of 672 PRSP isolates.
  • Covered national surveillance data from 1994-1995, 1997-1998, and 1999-2000.

Main Results:

  • Identified 104 distinct PFGE types, with 12 predominant types accounting for over 75% of isolates.
  • Five prevalent PFGE types were closely related to known widespread international clones.
  • Observed an increase in prevalence for 3 major PFGE types not related to recognized clones.
  • Found high rates of multidrug resistance (96%-100%) in 9 of the 12 predominant PFGE types.
  • Noted an increased prevalence of erythromycin resistance within 4 major PFGE types.

Conclusions:

  • The emergence of PRSP in the US during the 1990s is largely attributed to the human-to-human transmission of a limited number of clonal groups.
  • These dominant clones possess resistance determinants to multiple antibiotic classes, facilitating their widespread dissemination.

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