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Antimicrobial resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae: a growing universal concern
Abstract:
Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common cause of bacterial pneumonia, otitis media, bacteremia, and meningitis in infants, children, and immunocompromised and splenectomized patients. After the introduction of penicillin in 1940, pneumococci were regarded as uniformly sensitive to minimal inhibitory concentrations (less than or equal to 0.05 microgram/mL). This idea persisted until 1967, when the first strain showing increased resistance to penicillin was isolated. Pneumococci with intermediate penicillin resistance recovered from different geographic areas have minimum inhibitory concentrations of 0.1 to 1.0 microgram/mL. In 1977, however, resistant strains were isolated with minimum inhibitory concentrations of 2 to 10 micrograms/mL; subsequently, strains resistant to other antibiotics including tetracycline, sulfonamides, erythromycin, lincomycin, chloramphenicol, clindamycin, streptomycin, and rifampin have also been reported. The authors emphasize the need for continued surveillance of pneumococcal isolates and recommend sensitivity testing of all isolates to penicillin.
Insights
Streptococcus pneumoniae resistance to penicillin has increased significantly since 1967. Continued surveillance and penicillin sensitivity testing of pneumococcal isolates are crucial.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Antimicrobial Resistance
Background:
- Streptococcus pneumoniae is a leading cause of bacterial infections like pneumonia and meningitis.
- Historically, pneumococci were uniformly sensitive to penicillin.
- Emergence of penicillin resistance in pneumococci was first noted in 1967.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document the historical rise of penicillin resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae.
- To highlight the increasing resistance of pneumococci to various antibiotics.
- To emphasize the importance of ongoing monitoring and sensitivity testing.
Main Methods:
- Review of historical data on pneumococcal antibiotic sensitivity.
- Documentation of minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for penicillin resistance.
- Reporting of resistance patterns for other antibiotics.
Main Results:
- Penicillin resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae has escalated from intermediate (0.1-1.0 microgram/mL) to high levels (2-10 micrograms/mL).
- Resistance has been observed against multiple antibiotics including tetracycline, erythromycin, and clindamycin.
- Increased resistance necessitates updated treatment strategies.
Conclusions:
- Continued surveillance of pneumococcal isolates is essential.
- Routine penicillin sensitivity testing for all pneumococcal isolates is recommended.
- Antimicrobial resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae poses a significant public health challenge.