Survey of penicillin resistant pneumococci at Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi

During a four year period, a survey of antibiotic sensitivity patterns in clinical isolates of pneumococci was conducted at Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi. The isolation and characterisation of Streptococcus pneumoniae was done using standard laboratory procedures. Sensitivity testing was by disc diffusion method using discs supplied by Oxoid. During the period, 45 clinical isolates were recorded. This figure is somewhat lower than the expected rate of pneumococcal isolation at the hospital. Penicillin resistance of 24% among the pneumococcal isolates was recorded. Among the antibiotics tested, amoxycillin/clavulanic acid, ceftazidime, erythromycin and chloromphenicol had highest activity against the pneumococci. Surprisingly low sensitivity rates were recorded for trimethoprim/ sulphamethoxazole and cefuroxime. Implications of these findings in the management of pneumococcal infections are discussed.