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[Antimicrobial resistance and serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae in Switzerland]
Abstract:
One hundred and eighty strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae were isolated from various materials at the Institute of Medical Microbiology in Zurich between March and October 1978. Examination of these isolates for resistance to 6 standard antimicrobials revealed that 17 (9.4%) strains were resistant to the tetracyclines, 2 strains to sulphamethoxazole/trimethoprim and 1 strain to both tetracycline and chloramphenicol. All strains were highly sensitive to benzylpenicillin, cephalothin and erythromycin. Serotyping of the pneumococci was done by the capsular quellung reaction. The prevalent serotypes in the entire collection of strains were Nos. 6, 23, 19, 3, 9, 14 and 7. The prevalent serotypes of strains isolated from blood, cerebrospinal fluid, pus, and bronchial secretions were Nos. 4, 8, 7, 14, 9, 3, 19 and 6. Vaccination with PneumovaxTM, a vaccine containing 14 capsular antigens, should provide protection against 75% of pneumococci identified as true pathogens in this study. Pneumococci are rather rarely isolated in our laboratories. For this reason, and because the strains isolated are still sensitive to antibiotics in conventional use, mass vaccination of the population in Switzerland is not recommended. Vaccination should be carried out in certain high risk groups of patients.
Insights
This study analyzed 180 Streptococcus pneumoniae strains, finding low antibiotic resistance but identifying prevalent serotypes. Vaccination is recommended only for high-risk groups in Switzerland.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Epidemiology
Context:
- Analysis of 180 Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates from Zurich (1978).
- Assessed antimicrobial resistance patterns and serotype distribution.
- Evaluated the potential efficacy of PneumovaxTM vaccination.
Purpose:
- To characterize antibiotic resistance and serotypes of local pneumococcal isolates.
- To determine the relevance of current vaccination strategies for the Swiss population.
- To inform public health recommendations regarding pneumococcal vaccination.
Summary:
- 17% of isolates showed resistance to tetracyclines; 2% to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. All strains remained sensitive to benzylpenicillin, cephalothin, and erythromycin.
- Prevalent serotypes included 6, 23, 19, 3, 9, 14, and 7.
- PneumovaxTM could cover 75% of identified pathogenic pneumococci.
Impact:
- Limited antibiotic resistance suggests conventional treatments remain effective.
- Pneumococcal vaccination is advised for specific high-risk populations, not mass vaccination in Switzerland.
- Findings contribute to understanding regional pneumococcal epidemiology and vaccination policy.