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Penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
M N Chowdhury1, M R Khaliq, A M Kambal
1Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine and King Khalid University Hospital, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2925, Riyadh 11461, Saudi Arabia.
International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents
|September 1, 1995
Summary
This study found that 14.7% of Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates in Riyadh showed penicillin resistance, with resistance linked to other antibiotics. High-level penicillin resistance was not detected.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Antimicrobial Resistance
Background:
- Streptococcus pneumoniae is a leading cause of bacterial infections worldwide.
- Antimicrobial resistance in S. pneumoniae poses a significant public health threat.
- Monitoring resistance patterns is crucial for effective treatment strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of clinical isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- To assess the prevalence of resistance to common antimicrobial agents, including penicillin, erythromycin, and tetracycline.
- To investigate associations between penicillin resistance and resistance to other antibiotics.
Main Methods:
- Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined for 150 clinical isolates of S. pneumoniae.
- Seven different antimicrobial agents were tested.
- Isolates were collected over a ten-month period at a teaching hospital.
Main Results:
- 14.7% of isolates exhibited relative resistance to penicillin; high-level resistance was absent.
- Resistance rates were 11.3% for erythromycin and 20.7% for tetracycline.
- Multiple drug resistance was observed in 14% of isolates, with penicillin resistance significantly associated with higher rates of resistance to other antibiotics.
Conclusions:
- A notable proportion of S. pneumoniae isolates in Riyadh demonstrate resistance to penicillin and other common antibiotics.
- Penicillin resistance is a potential indicator of broader antimicrobial resistance in S. pneumoniae.
- Continued surveillance of antimicrobial resistance patterns is essential for guiding clinical practice and public health interventions.
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