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Streptococcus pseudopneumoniae as an emerging respiratory tract pathogen at Assiut University hospitals
Zeinab Ibraheem Sayed1, Mohamed Fawzy Abdel-Ghany2, Shabaan Hashem Ahmed1
1Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt.
Background And Objectives:
Streptococcus pseudopneumoniae is a member of viridans streptococci. It is non-capsulated, bile insoluble and optochin susceptible in ambient air but resistant in 5% CO2. This study aimed to isolate S. pseudopneumoniae from sputum specimens of patients admitted to Chest Department and Chest ICU of Assiut University hospitals, differentiate it from Streptococcus pneumoniae in addition, to evaluate the prevalence of Streptococcus pseudopneumoniae in clinical isolates by phenotypic and genotypic methods, to subject the isolates to antimicrobial susceptibility testing using agar disc diffusion method.
Materials And Methods:
Isolation of Streptococcus pseudopneumoniae from sputum sample and doing phenotypic test (optochin susceptibility test,bile susceptibility test and antimicrobial susceptibility test) and genotypic test by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for five genes: CpsA, LytA, AliB-like ORF2, 16S rRNA and Spn9802 genes.
Results:
Twenty isolates of S. pseudopneumoniae were diagnosed phenotypically by optochin susceptibility and bile solubility tests followed by genotypic characterization by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for five genes: CpsA, LytA, AliB-like ORF2, 16S rRNA and Spn9802 genes. The prevalence of S. pseudopneumoniae among studied patients was 10% (20/200).
Conclusion:
The pure growth of S. pseudopneumoniae from sputum samples together with the great percentage of antibiotic resistance should raise attention to the clinical importance of this organism.
Insights
This study identified Streptococcus pseudopneumoniae in sputum samples using phenotypic and genotypic methods. The research highlights the organism's prevalence and antibiotic resistance, emphasizing its clinical significance.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Clinical Diagnostics
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Streptococcus pseudopneumoniae is a member of viridans streptococci, distinct from Streptococcus pneumoniae.
- It exhibits unique characteristics such as being non-capsulated, bile insoluble, and optochin susceptible in ambient air but resistant in 5% CO2.
- Understanding its prevalence and characteristics is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate Streptococcus pseudopneumoniae from sputum specimens of patients at Assiut University hospitals.
- To differentiate S. pseudopneumoniae from S. pneumoniae using phenotypic and genotypic methods.
- To evaluate the prevalence of S. pseudopneumoniae and assess its antimicrobial susceptibility.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of S. pseudopneumoniae from sputum samples.
- Phenotypic tests including optochin susceptibility, bile solubility, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (agar disc diffusion).
- Genotypic characterization using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for specific genes (CpsA, LytA, AliB-like ORF2, 16S rRNA, Spn9802).
Main Results:
- Twenty isolates of S. pseudopneumoniae were identified through combined phenotypic and genotypic analyses.
- The prevalence of S. pseudopneumoniae in the studied patient population was 10% (20/200).
- Antimicrobial susceptibility testing results indicated a significant percentage of antibiotic resistance.
Conclusions:
- The successful isolation and identification of S. pseudopneumoniae from sputum samples were achieved.
- The study underscores the clinical importance of S. pseudopneumoniae, particularly given its prevalence and observed antibiotic resistance.
- Further attention to this organism is warranted in clinical settings.