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Updated: May 25, 2026
Capsular Serotyping of Streptococcus pneumoniae by Latex Agglutination
Published on: September 25, 2014
Serotyping and antibiotic susceptibility of Streptococcus pneumoniae strains isolated in Algeria from 2001 to 2010
H Tali-Maamar1, R Laliam, C Bentchouala
1Service de bactériologie médicale, institut Pasteur d'Algérie, Algiers, Algeria. htali@yahoo.fr
Introduction:
Pneumococcal infections are a major public health problem because of the virulence of this bacterium and its ability to develop resistance.
Material And Method:
Two hundred and ninety-four strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae were isolated from sterile (56.8%) and non-sterile samples (43.2%), from January 2001 to July 2010.
Results:
The interpretation of antibiotic susceptibility testing, according to CLSI criteria (M100-S21 2011), yielded a 25.2% overall resistance to penicillin, with 23.5% of strains isolated from CSF (meningitis), and only 1.7% in other samples. Resistance to cefotaxime was 8.1% (including 4.4% at a high level). The most common serotypes were: 14 (19.5%), 23F (9.7%), 6B (9.3%), 19F (5.4%), and serotype 1 (5%). The percentage of these serotypes isolated from normally sterile sites in children under 5 years of age was 31.25% for 14, 10.4% for 23F, 8.3% for 19F, 6.25% for 6B, and 4.2% for serotype 1. The theoretical vaccinal coverage against invasive infections in children under 2 years of age was 61.5%, 69.2%, and 76.9% for the 7-valent, 10-valent, and 13-valent conjugate vaccines, respectively. Penicillin non-susceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae (PNSP) strains accounted for 67.1, 68.6, and 72.8% for each of these three vaccines.
Conclusion:
There was a variation of serotype rates compared to previous studies. The increase in pneumococcal antibiotic resistance is concerning, particularly for the treatment of pneumococcal infections in children and infants. Pneumococcal vaccination is not compulsory yet in Algeria.
Insights
Pneumococcal antibiotic resistance is increasing, especially in children, necessitating updated vaccination strategies. Current vaccines offer significant coverage against invasive pneumococcal disease, but resistance trends require ongoing monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Pneumococcal infections pose a significant global health challenge due to bacterial virulence and antimicrobial resistance.
- Streptococcus pneumoniae is a leading cause of bacterial pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis worldwide.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the prevalence of antibiotic resistance and serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae in clinical isolates.
- To evaluate the potential coverage of current pneumococcal conjugate vaccines against invasive infections in children.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 294 Streptococcus pneumoniae strains isolated from sterile and non-sterile samples between January 2001 and July 2010.
- Antibiotic susceptibility testing performed according to CLSI criteria (M100-S21 2011).
- Serotyping of isolates and calculation of theoretical vaccinal coverage for 7-, 10-, and 13-valent conjugate vaccines.
Main Results:
- Overall penicillin resistance was 25.2%, with higher rates in meningitis cases (23.5%). Cefotaxime resistance was 8.1%.
- The most prevalent serotypes were 14, 23F, 6B, 19F, and 1, with specific percentages found in invasive infections in young children.
- Theoretical vaccine coverage for invasive infections in children under 2 years was 61.5% (7-valent), 69.2% (10-valent), and 76.9% (13-valent).
Conclusions:
- Serotype distribution has shifted compared to previous studies.
- Increasing pneumococcal antibiotic resistance is a serious concern for treating infections, particularly in pediatric populations.
- Pneumococcal vaccination is not yet mandatory in Algeria, highlighting a potential gap in public health strategy.
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