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Decreased susceptibility to imipenem among penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae

A Pikis1, J A Donkersloot, S Akram

  • 1Department of Infectious Diseases, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC 20010-2970, USA.

The Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy
|July 1, 1997
PubMed

Insights

Penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae show high resistance to common antibiotics. This study found significant decreased susceptibility to cefotaxime, chloramphenicol, and carbapenems, limiting treatment options for invasive pneumococcal infections.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Antimicrobial Resistance

Background:

  • Streptococcus pneumoniae is a leading cause of bacterial infections.
  • Increasing penicillin resistance in S. pneumoniae poses a significant public health challenge.
  • Limited therapeutic options exist for infections caused by drug-resistant pneumococci.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the antimicrobial susceptibilities of penicillin-intermediate or penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae strains.
  • To determine the prevalence of resistance to key antibiotics, including third-generation cephalosporins and carbapenems.

Main Methods:

  • Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed on 59 S. pneumoniae isolates.
  • Phenotypic methods were used to assess resistance patterns against various antibiotics.

Main Results:

  • All 59 strains remained susceptible to vancomycin and rifampicin.
  • Decreased susceptibility was observed in 15% for cefotaxime, 31% for chloramphenicol, 47% for imipenem, and 49% for meropenem.
  • High rates of resistance to third-generation cephalosporins and carbapenems were noted.

Conclusions:

  • Penicillin-resistant S. pneumoniae exhibit concerning resistance profiles to several critical antibiotics.
  • The widespread decreased susceptibility to cefotaxime, chloramphenicol, and carbapenems severely restricts treatment choices for invasive pneumococcal diseases, especially meningitis.
  • Urgent strategies are needed to address the growing antimicrobial resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae.

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