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Updated: Aug 24, 2026
Constructing Mutants in Serotype 1 Streptococcus pneumoniae strain 519/43
Published on: September 11, 2020
[Antibiotic resistance in invasive pneumococci and their serotypes in the Czech Republic]
P Urbásková1, J Motlová, H Zemlicková
1Centrum epidemiologie a mikrobiologie--Státní zdravotní ústav, Praha. purbaskova@szu.cz
Background:
Among strains of S. pneumoniae (pneumococci), isolated from blood or cerebrospinal fluid of 483 patients between January 2001 and October 2003 as many as 5.2% strains were penicillin-non-susceptible.
Methods And Results:
Incidence of penicillin-non-susceptible S. pneumoniae (PNSP) strains was highest in children of the youngest age group (12.7%). Cefotaxim-non-susceptibility was detected in 2.7% of strains. Pneumococci tested were resistant to co-trimoxazol (9.9%), tetracycline (8.9%), chloramphenicol (4.6%), erythromycin (2.3%), clindamycin (1.4%), levofloxacin (0.6%) and rifampicin (0.2%); none of the strains was resistant to linezolid. Comparison of the results from 1996-1999 shows a permanent occurrence of invasive PNSP strains ranging about 5%. The PNSP strains were of 7 serotypes, with serotype 9V being the most frequent. The Czech collection of invasive pneumococcal strains is five times smaller than that of any other European country with comparable populations over the same period of time.
Conclusions:
Low incidence of invasive S. pneumoniae strains seems to be related to the underestimated significance of blood culturing. Valid data necessary for the safety of antibiotic therapy in terms of efficacy and prevention of resistance development cannot be obtained from some localities of the Czech Republic.
Insights
Penicillin-non-susceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae (PNSP) strains occurred in 5.2% of patients. Invasive PNSP strains showed consistent occurrence, with the highest rates in young children, highlighting the need for accurate antibiotic resistance data.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Antimicrobial Resistance
Context:
- Invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae infections pose a significant public health concern.
- Monitoring antimicrobial susceptibility is crucial for effective treatment and resistance surveillance.
- Data from the Czech Republic between 2001-2003 indicated a notable prevalence of penicillin-non-susceptible S. pneumoniae.
Purpose:
- To determine the incidence and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae strains.
- To assess the prevalence of penicillin-non-susceptible S. pneumoniae (PNSP) in clinical isolates.
- To compare current resistance trends with historical data and evaluate serotype distribution.
Summary:
- A study of 483 patients revealed 5.2% of S. pneumoniae isolates were penicillin-non-susceptible (PNSP).
- PNSP incidence was highest in the youngest age group (12.7%). Resistance varied across antibiotics, with no resistance to linezolid observed.
- Invasive PNSP strains occurred consistently around 5% compared to 1996-1999 data, with serotype 9V most frequent.
Impact:
- Findings underscore the persistent challenge of PNSP and highlight specific vulnerabilities in pediatric populations.
- The study suggests potential underestimation of invasive pneumococcal disease due to blood culturing practices in certain Czech localities.
- Accurate, localized data is essential for guiding antibiotic therapy and preventing further resistance development.
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