Streptococcus Pneumoniae Resistance, Molecular Epidemiology And Mechanisms Of Resistance

Objective Streptococcus pneumoniae has long been one of the most important bacterial pathogen causing community acquired infection, such as pneumonia, meningitis, otitis media,sinusitis,and septicemia. During the recent 3 decades, the resistance of S. pneumoniae to penicillin, other β-lactams and non-β-lactam agents has been rapidly increasing in many parts of the world. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of S. pneumoniae in patient with community acquired infections and to determine the antibiotic susceptibility in S . pneumoniae isolated in Chongqing.Methods Ａ total 680 of clinical specimens such as sputum and throat or nasal swabs were collected from the patient with community acquired infections and isolated for S. pneumoniae from September 2000 to March 2001. S.pneumoniae was identified by bile solubility and optochin test. Antibiotic susceptibility was determined by agar dilution test accordingto NCCLS methods.Results A total of 39 isolates of S.pneumoniae were collected, the isolation rate of S.pneumoniae were 5.7%. of 34 S.pnemoniae, two were low-level resistant to penicillin(MIC 0.125mg/L), only one is resistant to levofloxacin, but resistance to macrolide and clindamycin was very common (nearly 70%). All the strains were susceptible to the other β-lactams and vancomycin.Conclusions The penicillin resistant rate of S.pneumoniae was low in Chongqing. However, macrolide and clindamycin resistant strains were common, so it is necessary to monitor antibiotic resistance of S.pneumoniae.