Susceptibility of Group A Streptococcus to Antimicrobial Agents in Northern Israel: A Surveillance Study
Bibiana Chazan1,2, Raul Raz1,2, Hana Edelstein1
11 Infectious Diseases Unit, Emek Medical Center , Afula, Israel .
Background:
Resistant pathogens are an increasing threat affecting millions of people globally. More complicated patients are presented with pathogens harboring new resistance mechanisms, while the pipeline of new antimicrobials hardly proposes solutions. In such a scenario, more severely ill patients remain with no adequate treatment to offer. In addition, massive misuse of antimicrobials, including excessive length of treatment or wrong dosage, also contributes to increasing the rate of pathogens resistance to antimicrobials. Isolation of Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Streptococcus-GAS) is the main indication for antibiotic treatment to patients diagnosed with acute tonsillitis. Hence, GAS resistance to antibiotics requires periodic monitoring.
Objectives:
To assess susceptibility rates of GAS to penicillin, macrolides, clindamycin, and tetracycline in northern Israel and to compare the findings to the high antimicrobial susceptibility of GAS isolates reported in the same region in 2004 and to other geographical areas.
Methods:
Throat samples from 300 outpatients were collected and cultured at the regional laboratory of Emek Medical Center during September to October 2011.
Results:
In 300 samples, the susceptibility rates of GAS to penicillin, erythromycin, azithromycin, clindamycin, and tetracycline in northern Israel still remain very high.
Conclusions:
Continuous control of antimicrobials usage and periodic surveillance of susceptibility rates, together with educational programs and appropriate and targeted treatment protocols, are essential and highly recommended to keep these high susceptibility rates for as long as possible.
Insights
Group A Streptococcus (GAS) remains highly susceptible to common antibiotics like penicillin and macrolides in northern Israel. Continued monitoring and judicious antimicrobial use are crucial to preserve this high susceptibility.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Antimicrobial Resistance
Background:
- Rising antimicrobial resistance poses a global health threat, complicating patient treatment.
- Misuse of antibiotics accelerates pathogen resistance, limiting therapeutic options.
- Monitoring antibiotic resistance in Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Streptococcus-GAS) is vital for treating acute tonsillitis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the susceptibility of GAS to penicillin, macrolides, clindamycin, and tetracycline in northern Israel.
- To compare current GAS susceptibility rates with historical data from 2004 and other regions.
Main Methods:
- Cultured throat samples from 300 outpatients between September and October 2011.
- Conducted susceptibility testing at the Emek Medical Center regional laboratory.
Main Results:
- GAS isolates in northern Israel demonstrated very high susceptibility rates to penicillin, erythromycin, azithromycin, clindamycin, and tetracycline.
- Findings indicate sustained high antimicrobial susceptibility in GAS in the region.
Conclusions:
- Maintaining high GAS susceptibility requires ongoing antimicrobial stewardship and surveillance.
- Educational programs and targeted treatment protocols are recommended to preserve antibiotic effectiveness.
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