Antimicrobial resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae in Brie (France), during 1999

Abstract Objectives The authors had for aim to study antimicrobial resistance of Streptococcus pneumoniae strains isolated in the French Brie region during 1999. Method From February 1999 to February 2000, nine microbiology hospital laboratories in “Seine et Marne” studied the antimicrobial resistance of Streptococcus pneumoniae strains isolated from various clinical samples (blood cultures, respiratory samples, cerebrospinal fluid, otitis). Results 378 strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae were collected: 169 (45%) in adults and 209 (55%) in children. The global prevalence of penicillin resistant S. pneumoniae was 61%. This prevalence was higher in children (70%) than in adults (48%), higher in pediatric otitis (68%) than in adults blood cultures (44%). The prevalence of high-level resistance strains to penicillin G, amoxicillin and cefotaxime was not elevated (22%, 2% and 0,2% respectively). Resistance to other antibiotics was high: erythromycin: 66%, tetracycline: 38%, chloramphenicol: 29%, cotrimoxazole: 49%. The most prevalent serotypes were found in adults: 14, 23, 9 and in children: 19, 23, 6. Comparison with results of the same study made in 1997 shows an increase of resistance.