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Resistance in respiratory tract pathogens and antimicrobial use in Icelandic and Lithuanian children

Einar K R Hjaltested1, Jolanta Bernatoniene, Helga Erlendsdottir

  • 1Department of Clinical Microbiology, Landspitali University Hospital, Reykjavik, Iceland.

Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases
|April 11, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Antimicrobial resistance in children

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Pediatrics
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Respiratory tract pathogens are a common cause of childhood illness.
  • Antimicrobial resistance is a growing global health concern.
  • Understanding resistance patterns and antimicrobial use in children is crucial for public health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare antimicrobial resistance rates and usage patterns in pediatric populations in Iceland and Lithuania.
  • To investigate the correlation between antimicrobial consumption and resistance levels in nasopharyngeal bacteria.
  • To identify specific pathogen prevalence and resistance profiles in healthy children.

Main Methods:

  • Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from healthy children in day-care centers in Reykjavik, Iceland, and Vilnius, Lithuania.
  • Cultures were performed to identify pneumococci, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis.
  • Antimicrobial use was assessed via questionnaires, and resistance rates were determined.

Main Results:

  • High carriage rates for pneumococci, H. influenzae, and M. catarrhalis were observed in both countries.
  • Penicillin non-susceptible pneumococci prevalence was higher in Reykjavik (11%) than in Vilnius (5%).
  • Despite higher antimicrobial use in Vilnius, Reykjavik showed greater antimicrobial resistance, indicating complex relationships.

Conclusions:

  • Antimicrobial resistance rates in pediatric respiratory pathogens are influenced by factors beyond recent antimicrobial use alone.
  • Differences in resistance patterns between Iceland and Lithuania highlight the need for geographically specific surveillance and stewardship.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the multifaceted drivers of antimicrobial resistance in pediatric populations.

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