Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 13, 2026
Constructing Mutants in Serotype 1 Streptococcus pneumoniae strain 519/43
Published on: September 11, 2020
[Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes in Cuba and progression of resistance to penicillin]
Gilda T Toraño Peraza1, Rafael Llanes Caballero, Lisania M Pías Solis
1Laboratorio Nacional de Referencia para Neumococo, Instituto De Medicina Tropical Pedro Kouri, Ciudad de La Habana, Cuba. gilda@ipk.sld.cu
Introduction:
since 2006 in Cuba, there has been difficult to determine the actual incidente of bacterial meningitis and other invasive diseases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, as a result of the low percentage of isolation and identification of this agent in the domestic microbiology lab network.
Objective:
to warn of the need of revitalizing the active surveillance of invasive, epidemiological and microbiological pneumoccocic diseases, mainly meningitis and pneumoniae in the phase prior to vaccination.
Methods:
a comparison was made on the circulation of capsulary serogroups/serotypes and the invasive infection-causing S. pneumoniae isolates susceptibility to penicilline in two periods: 1994-2006 and 2007-2009.
Results:
the most frequent serogroups were 3, 6, 7, 9, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 23; however, in the second period, it was observed that others not contained in the available conjugate vaccines (serogrup 15) and associated to antimicrobial resistance (serotype 5) were circulating. On the other hand, increased resistance to penicilline was evident.
Conclusions:
it is required to study a more representative number of isolates in order to assure high effectiveness with the incorporation of some S. pneumoniae conjugate vaccines in the Cuban infant vaccination schedule. This will also allow duly assessing increased resistance to penicilline and adopting therapeutical guidelines suited to the Cuban setting.
Insights
Active surveillance for Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) is crucial in Cuba due to emerging resistant strains and serotypes not covered by current vaccines. Enhanced monitoring is needed before infant vaccination schedules are updated.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Epidemiology
- Vaccinology
Context:
- Bacterial meningitis and invasive diseases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) are challenging to track in Cuba.
- Low isolation and identification rates in microbiology labs hinder accurate incidence determination.
Purpose:
- To highlight the necessity of revitalizing active surveillance for invasive pneumococcal diseases, including meningitis and pneumonia.
- To inform strategies before the implementation of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines in the infant vaccination schedule.
Summary:
- A comparative analysis of Streptococcus pneumoniae serogroups/serotypes and penicillin susceptibility was conducted between 1994-2006 and 2007-2009.
- The study identified the circulation of serogroups not included in current conjugate vaccines (e.g., serogroup 15) and serotypes linked to antimicrobial resistance (e.g., serotype 5).
- An increase in penicillin resistance among pneumococcal isolates was observed.
Impact:
- Further studies with a larger number of isolates are required to ensure the effectiveness of Streptococcus pneumoniae conjugate vaccines in Cuba.
- This research will aid in assessing rising penicillin resistance and developing appropriate therapeutic guidelines for the Cuban context.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Mechanism of Antibiotic Resistance in MRSA
01:14Atypical Pneumonia
01:25Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance
01:30Development of Antibiotic Resistance
01:29Pneumonia I: Introduction
01:30Pneumonia I: Introduction
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...