Pediatric Pneumococcal Eye Infection and Changes in Antibiotic Susceptibility: A Retrospective Study

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Microbiology
• Pediatrics

Background:

• * *Streptococcus pneumoniae* (pneumococcus) is a common cause of pediatric eye infections.
• * Understanding antimicrobial susceptibility patterns is crucial for effective treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To analyze the antimicrobial susceptibility of pneumococcus from pediatric eye discharge.
• * To compare susceptibility between age groups and two time periods (1994-2013 vs. 2014-2024).

Main Methods:

• * Retrospective analysis of 65 pediatric patients with pneumococcus isolated from eye discharge.
• * Stratification by age (<2 years vs. ≥2 years) and isolation period.
• * Evaluation of susceptibility to penicillin, cefotaxime, and levofloxacin.

Main Results:

• * No significant differences in antimicrobial susceptibility were observed between age groups.
• * Susceptibility to cefotaxime and levofloxacin remained relatively stable between the two periods.
• * A significant increase in non-susceptibility to penicillin was noted in the later period (16.7% vs. 48.5%, P=0.035).

Conclusions:

• * Pediatric pneumococcus isolates demonstrate a concerning rise in penicillin non-susceptibility.
• * Cefotaxime and levofloxacin maintain good susceptibility rates.
• * This trend necessitates ongoing surveillance and potential adjustments in empirical treatment guidelines for pediatric conjunctivitis.