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Penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae in acute otitis media: risk factors, susceptibility patterns and

S L Block1, C J Harrison, J A Hedrick

  • 1Kentucky Pediatric Research, Bardstown 40004, USA.

Insights

Penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (PRSP) strains were common in acute otitis media cases in rural Kentucky. PRSP was linked to otitis-prone conditions and recent antibiotic use, with resistance to common AOM treatments.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Clinical Medicine

Background:

  • Penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (PRSP) poses a growing challenge in treating acute otitis media (AOM).
  • Understanding the prevalence and resistance patterns of PRSP in ambulatory settings is crucial for effective AOM management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of PRSP in pediatric AOM patients in rural Kentucky.
  • To assess the antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of PRSP isolates.
  • To identify risk factors associated with PRSP infections.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates from patients with AOM or recurrent AOM.
  • Broth microdilution method to determine penicillin minimal inhibition concentrations (MICs).
  • Antimicrobial susceptibility testing against various oral and parenteral agents.
  • Multivariate analysis to identify predictive factors for PRSP.

Main Results:

  • PRSP accounted for 17% of 283 Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates from AOM cases.
  • Highly PRSP strains (MIC ≥ 2.0 µg/mL) showed uniform susceptibility to clindamycin and vancomycin but resistance to many oral antibiotics, including ceftriaxone.
  • Serotypes 6B, 19F, and 23F were predominant in highly PRSP strains.
  • Otitis-prone condition and recent antibiotic exposure (within 3 days) were significant predictors of PRSP.

Conclusions:

  • PRSP is prevalent in pediatric AOM in rural Kentucky, exhibiting resistance to common treatments.
  • Recent antibiotic use is a strong risk factor for PRSP acquisition.
  • Alternative antibiotics like clindamycin and vancomycin are effective against highly resistant strains.

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