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Emergence of penicillin-resistant invasive pneumococci in a single American community

R J Stanek1, M A Mufson

  • 1Department of Medicine, Marshall University School of Medicine, Huntington, WV 25703, USA.

The American Journal of the Medical Sciences
|October 1, 1995
PubMed

Insights

Penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae strains were found in West Virginia, with 14.5% showing intermediate resistance. This highlights the need for routine susceptibility testing and careful antibiotic use.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Clinical Medicine

Background:

  • Penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae strains have emerged globally over the past three decades.
  • Surveillance for antibiotic resistance in S. pneumoniae is crucial for public health, especially in regions with limited data.
  • In West Virginia, no penicillin-resistant S. pneumoniae strains had been previously reported due to a lack of testing.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence of penicillin resistance in invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae strains in metropolitan Huntington, West Virginia.
  • To identify specific serotypes exhibiting resistance and assess the level of resistance.
  • To inform public health strategies regarding antibiotic susceptibility testing and usage.

Main Methods:

  • Surveillance of invasive pneumococcal disease between 1983 and 1994 identified 356 S. pneumoniae strains from sterile sites.
  • Focus on 110 strains belonging to serotypes 6, 9, 14, 19, and 23, known for exhibiting penicillin resistance.
  • Penicillin susceptibility testing was performed using the E-test method.

Main Results:

  • Out of 110 tested strains, 16 (14.5%) demonstrated intermediate resistance to penicillin.
  • No highly resistant strains of S. pneumoniae were detected.
  • Intermediate resistance was primarily observed in serotypes 9, 14, and 23, with a notable increase in 1992-1994.

Conclusions:

  • The emergence of intermediate penicillin resistance in S. pneumoniae in West Virginia necessitates routine susceptibility testing.
  • Findings underscore the importance of appropriate antibiotic stewardship to combat rising antimicrobial resistance.
  • Continued surveillance is vital to monitor resistance trends and guide clinical treatment decisions.

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