Related Experiment Videos
Prevalence of pneumococci with increased resistance to penicillin in Saudi Arabia
1King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Annals of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology
|April 1, 1991
Abstract:
Streptococcus pneumoniae isolated from blood, cerebrospinal fluid, respiratory tract and other clinical specimens from 268 patients were tested for sensitivity to penicillin, using 1 micrograms oxacillin disks. Eighty-four (31%) of these isolates were found to be relatively resistant to penicillin.
Insights
Penicillin resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae is a growing concern. Over 30% of clinical isolates tested showed resistance, highlighting the need for monitoring antimicrobial susceptibility.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Antimicrobial Resistance
Background:
- Streptococcus pneumoniae is a leading cause of bacterial infections worldwide.
- Penicillin remains a cornerstone antibiotic for treating pneumococcal infections.
- Emergence of penicillin-resistant strains poses a significant public health threat.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of penicillin resistance in clinical isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae.
- To assess the sensitivity of Streptococcus pneumoniae to penicillin.
Main Methods:
- Clinical specimens including blood, cerebrospinal fluid, and respiratory tract samples were collected from 268 patients.
- Isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae were identified from these specimens.
- Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using 1 microgram oxacillin disks to evaluate penicillin sensitivity.
Main Results:
- A total of 268 Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates were analyzed.
- Eighty-four isolates (31%) exhibited relative resistance to penicillin.
- This indicates a substantial proportion of clinical isolates are not fully susceptible to penicillin.
Conclusions:
- A significant prevalence of penicillin resistance was observed in the studied Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates.
- The findings underscore the importance of routine antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
- Continuous surveillance is crucial for guiding appropriate antibiotic therapy and combating resistance.