Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 24, 2026

Characterization of Inflammatory Responses During Intranasal Colonization with Streptococcus pneumoniae
09:12

Characterization of Inflammatory Responses During Intranasal Colonization with Streptococcus pneumoniae

Published on: January 17, 2014

Clinical and public health implications of macrolide-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae

R C Moellering1, William Craig, Michael Edmond

  • 1Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Department of Medicine, Boston, MA 02215, USA. Rmoeller@caregroup.harvard.edu

Journal of Chemotherapy (Florence, Italy)
|November 7, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Macrolide resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae is a growing concern. More research is needed to understand its public health impact and guide interventions against treatment failures.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health and Epidemiology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Rising macrolide resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae presents a significant global health challenge.
  • The precise public health impact, including morbidity and economic burdens, of this resistance is not well-defined.
  • Existing clinical data limitations hinder a comprehensive assessment of the threat posed by macrolide-resistant S. pneumoniae.

Framework:

  • A Consensus Working Group convened in March 2001 to evaluate scientific data on macrolide resistance in S. pneumoniae.
  • The group assessed whether resistance leads to significant morbidity, health/economic burdens, and constitutes a public health threat.
  • The need for interventions, including new antibiotic development against resistant strains, was considered.

Implementation:

  • Clinical practice and treatment guidelines express concern over potential macrolide treatment failures.
  • This concern threatens the established role of macrolides in treating respiratory tract infections.
  • Limited clinical data necessitates further studies to monitor resistance and identify failure scenarios.

Implications:

  • Further research is crucial for monitoring and controlling macrolide resistance in S. pneumoniae.
  • Evaluating specific settings where macrolide treatment failures occur is essential.
  • Development of new therapeutic interventions is urgently needed to combat resistant strains and ensure effective treatment of respiratory infections.

More Related Videos

Following in Real Time the Impact of Pneumococcal Virulence Factors in an Acute Mouse Pneumonia Model Using Bioluminescent Bacteria11:32

Following in Real Time the Impact of Pneumococcal Virulence Factors in an Acute Mouse Pneumonia Model Using Bioluminescent Bacteria

Published on: February 23, 2014

Visualization of Streptococcus pneumoniae within Cardiac Microlesions and Subsequent Cardiac Remodeling08:25

Visualization of Streptococcus pneumoniae within Cardiac Microlesions and Subsequent Cardiac Remodeling

Published on: April 7, 2015

Related Concept Videos

Pneumonia I: Introduction01:30

Pneumonia I: Introduction

Pneumonia is an acute respiratory infection that targets the lungs, specifically the alveoli. These tiny air sacs, essential for oxygen exchange, become engorged with pus and fluid, severely hindering breathing, decreasing oxygen absorption, and causing significant pain and discomfort during respiration.
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment01:30

Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment

Pneumonia poses the potential for numerous complications that warrant consideration. These complications include the following:
Atypical Pneumonia01:14

Atypical Pneumonia

Atypical pneumonia, often caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, is a form of pulmonary infection that differs from the classical presentation of bacterial pneumonia in both its cause and clinical symptoms. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a pleomorphic bacterium notable for its lack of a rigid cell wall. This structural characteristic imparts resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics and significantly influences the bacterium’s behavior within the human host.Other pathogens responsible for the disease include...
Mechanism of Antibiotic Resistance in MRSA01:25

Mechanism of Antibiotic Resistance in MRSA

Antibiotic resistance in bacteria arises when microorganisms evolve the ability to withstand drugs designed to kill them or inhibit their growth, rendering once-effective treatments useless. This phenomenon, driven by genetic change and selection under antibiotic exposure, poses a profound threat to modern medicine. Mechanisms include drug-inactivating enzymes (e.g., β-lactamases), efflux pumps that eject antibiotics, mutations altering antibiotic targets, decreased drug uptake, and acquisition...
Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance01:25

Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) presents a critical public health threat, arising from its capacity to resist β-lactam antibiotics due to acquisition of the mecA gene within the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). This gene encodes penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), which impairs binding efficacy of methicillin and other β-lactams. MRSA has evolved into distinct clonal lineages impacting humans and animals alike, reinforcing its significance within the One...
Pneumonia I: Introduction01:29

Pneumonia I: Introduction

Pneumonia is an infection of the lower respiratory tract that leads to inflammation of the lung parenchyma, often resulting in the accumulation of inflammatory exudate in the alveoli and airways. Unlike the watery, low-protein fluid exudate in pulmonary edema, the exudate in this case is a thick fluid rich in immune cells, proteins, and debris produced during infection and inflammation.This impairs gas exchange and can lead to consolidation of lung tissue. The infection may be caused by a...