The Sentinel Project: an update on the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in community-acquired respiratory Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus spp. in Italy.

Abstract

A total of 460 Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus spp. collected from respiratory infections during 2000 was tested for their susceptibility to 15 selected antibiotics. Overall, penicillin resistance among pneumococci was 10.5%, while lack of susceptibility to macrolides, co-trimoxazole, tetracycline and chloramphenicol reached 35.2%, 26.2%, 22.6% and 6.0%, respectively. Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and levofloxacin were the most potent compounds (100% and 99.9% susceptible strains, respectively). Among isolates of Haemophilus influenzae and Haemophilus parainfluenzae, beta-lactamase production (12.5% and 10%, respectively), and co-trimoxazole (19.9% and 40.0%) and clarithromycin (11.2% and 40.0%) resistance were the prevalent threats. This study confirms the trend observed in Italy since 1992: macrolide resistance among respiratory microorganisms is increasing, while several drugs including amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, third generation injectable cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones remain active on the great majority of these pathogens.

• Authors: A Marchese, F Ardito, G Fadda, R Fontana, G Lo Cascio, G Nicoletti, A M Speciale, G C Schito
• Journal: International journal of antimicrobial agents (Int J Antimicrob Agents) Vol. 26 Issue 1 Pg. 8-12 (Jul 2005) ISSN: 0924-8579 [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 15967638 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Community-Acquired Infections (drug therapy, epidemiology, microbiology)
• Drug Resistance, Bacterial
• Haemophilus Infections (drug therapy, epidemiology, microbiology)
• Humans
• Italy (epidemiology)
• Microbial Sensitivity Tests
• Pneumococcal Infections (drug therapy, epidemiology, microbiology)
• Prevalence
• Respiratory Tract Infections (drug therapy, epidemiology, microbiology)
• Sentinel Surveillance