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Failure to eradicate streptococci and beta-lactamase producing bacteria
1Department of Pediatrics, Georgetown University, Schools of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA. ib6@georgetown.edu
Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|February 8, 2008
Summary
Beta-lactamase-producing bacteria in healthy children correlate with amoxicillin treatment failures for Group A streptococcal pharyngo-tonsillitis. High penicillin failure rates indicate a community-wide increase in these resistant bacteria.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Penicillin treatment failure for Group A streptococcal pharyngo-tonsillitis is linked to beta-lactamase-producing bacteria.
- This study investigates the correlation between beta-lactamase-producing bacteria in healthy children and amoxicillin treatment outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To correlate the prevalence of beta-lactamase-producing bacteria in healthy children with amoxicillin failure rates in treating pediatric pharyngo-tonsillitis.
- To assess if penicillin failure rates can indicate community-level beta-lactamase-producing bacteria prevalence.
Main Methods:
- 228 children with Group A streptococcal pharyngo-tonsillitis received 10-day amoxicillin treatment.
- 663 healthy children and treated patients provided pharyngeal cultures pre-treatment and on day 12.
- Beta-lactamase-producing bacteria presence was assessed in all participants.
Main Results:
- Amoxicillin failed to eradicate Group A streptococci in 21% of treated children.
- Beta-lactamase-producing bacteria were found in 34% of healthy children, with seasonal variations.
- Pre-treatment recovery of beta-lactamase-producing bacteria was significantly higher in children who later failed amoxicillin therapy (54% vs 16%).
Conclusions:
- A significant correlation exists between beta-lactamase-producing bacteria prevalence in healthy children and amoxicillin treatment failure rates.
- High penicillin failure rates in pharyngo-tonsillitis cases serve as an indicator of increased community prevalence of beta-lactamase-producing bacteria.
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