Related Experiment Videos
Therapeutic options for pneumococcal pneumonia in Turkey
Serkan Oncu1, Hakan Erdem, Alaaddin Pahsa
1Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Adnan Menderes University Medical Faculty, Aydin, Turkey. serkanoncu@hotmail.com
Clinical Therapeutics
|August 25, 2005
Summary
High-dose penicillin G and amoxicillin are recommended for treating pneumococcal pneumonia in Turkey. Resistance rates guide the choice of antibiotics, with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and tetracyclines not advised for empiric use.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a significant global health concern.
- Streptococcus pneumoniae remains the primary pathogen causing CAP worldwide.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review empiric treatment options for pneumococcal pneumonia in Turkey.
- To base recommendations on local epidemiologic data and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of studies on S. pneumoniae antimicrobial susceptibility in Turkey (2000 onwards).
- Literature searches of Turkish and international databases.
- Evaluation of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC90) for relevant antibiotics.
Main Results:
- Penicillin G MIC90 was 1 µg/mL, with 6.4% resistance and 30.9% intermediate susceptibility.
- High resistance rates observed for trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (63.8%) and tetracycline (24.6%).
- Low resistance rates for ceftriaxone (0.75%), imipenem (0%), levofloxacin (0%), and moxifloxacin (0%).
Conclusions:
- High-dose parenteral penicillin G and parenteral/oral amoxicillin are suggested for uncomplicated pneumococcal pneumonia in Turkey.
- Alternative options include cefuroxime, ceftriaxone, cefotaxime, newer quinolones, macrolides, and telithromycin.
- Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and tetracyclines are not recommended due to high resistance.