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Clindamycin-resistant Streptococcus pyogenes: report of a case
Stephen R Walsh1, Mary Jane Ferraro, Marlene L Durand
1Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA. swalsh@partners.org
Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease
|July 13, 2004
Summary
A clindamycin-resistant Streptococcus pyogenes strain was identified, leading to updated lab protocols for testing all S. pyogenes isolates. This emerging resistance poses risks for treating severe S. pyogenes infections.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Clinical Laboratory Science
Background:
- Streptococcus pyogenes is a significant human pathogen.
- Necrotizing fasciitis is a severe soft tissue infection often requiring prompt treatment.
- Clindamycin is a key antibiotic for treating invasive S. pyogenes infections.
Observation:
- A sentinel isolate of clindamycin-resistant Streptococcus pyogenes was identified in a patient with mixed aerobic-anaerobic necrotizing fasciitis.
- This finding prompted a change in the clinical laboratory's protocol.
Findings:
- The laboratory now performs routine susceptibility testing for all S. pyogenes isolates from blood and soft tissue specimens.
- The study highlights the emergence of clindamycin resistance in S. pyogenes.
Implications:
- Emerging clindamycin resistance in S. pyogenes has serious implications for the treatment of severe infections.
- Updated diagnostic protocols are crucial for guiding effective antimicrobial therapy.
- Monitoring antimicrobial resistance patterns is essential for public health and patient care.