Related Experiment Videos
A case of bacteremia due to resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae
S Rahman1, M A Smith, P Alperstein
1Department of Medicine, Long Island Jewish Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New Hyde Park, New York 11042.
Abstract:
Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates with varying degrees of resistance to penicillin have been described. Strains that are highly resistant to penicillin (MIC, greater than 1 microgram/mL) and that are resistant to multiple antibiotics have been reported primarily in South Africa and Spain. We report a case of an adult patient with bacteremia due to S. pneumoniae that was highly resistant to penicillin (MIC, 4 micrograms/mL) and resistant to erythromycin, clindamycin, chloramphenicol, and co-trimoxazole who was successfully treated with vancomycin.
Insights
Highly penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) strains are emerging globally. A case of bacteremia caused by multidrug-resistant pneumococcus was successfully treated with vancomycin.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Antimicrobial Resistance
Background:
- Penicillin resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) is a growing public health concern.
- Highly resistant strains (MIC > 1 µg/mL) and multidrug-resistant pneumococci have been increasingly reported, particularly in South Africa and Spain.
Observation:
- A case of bacteremia caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae was identified in an adult patient.
- The infecting pneumococcal strain exhibited high-level penicillin resistance (MIC = 4 µg/mL).
- The isolate was also resistant to erythromycin, clindamycin, chloramphenicol, and co-trimoxazole.
Findings:
- The patient with bacteremia due to multidrug-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae was successfully treated with vancomycin.
- Vancomycin demonstrated efficacy against a highly penicillin-resistant and multidrug-resistant pneumococcal isolate.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential clinical utility of vancomycin in treating severe infections caused by extensively drug-resistant pneumococci.
- Effective treatment options remain critical for managing infections caused by emerging resistant bacterial strains.
- Continued surveillance and research into antimicrobial resistance patterns are essential for guiding clinical practice.