Antibiotic susceptibility and serotype distribution in Streptococcus pneumoniae circulating in Italy: results of the SEMPRE surveillance study (2000–2002)

• Published in: International journal of antimicrobial agents Vol. 26; no. 2; pp. 138 - 145
• Main Authors: Marchese, A., Gualco, L., Cochetti, I., Montanari, M.P., Speciale, A.M., Musumeci, S.R., Varaldo, P.E., Nicoletti, G., Schito, G.C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Elsevier B.V 01.08.2005; Amsterdam Elsevier; New York, NY
• Subjects: Anti-Bacterial Agents - pharmacology; Antibiotic resistance; Antibiotics. Antiinfectious agents. Antiparasitic agents; Biological and medical sciences; Capsular types; Epidemiology; Humans; Italy - epidemiology; Levofloxacin; Medical sciences; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Pneumococcal Infections - epidemiology; Pneumococcal Infections - microbiology; Pneumococci; Serotyping; Streptococcus pneumoniae; Streptococcus pneumoniae - classification; Streptococcus pneumoniae - drug effects; Italy; Europe; Levofloxacin; Pneumococci; Epidemiology; Capsular types; Antibiotic resistance; Drug susceptibility test; Microorganism capsule; Fluoroquinolone derivatives; Streptococcal infection; Bacteria; Micrococcales; Serotype; Pneumococcal infection; Quinolone derivatives; Public health; Typing; Streptococcus pneumoniae; Infection; Resistance; Streptococcaceae; Antibiotic; Surveillance; Distribution; Bacteriosis; Pharmacokinetics; Antibacterial agent
• ISSN: 0924-8579; 1872-7913
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2005.04.006

During 2000–2002, 20 clinical microbiology centres collected 1623 Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates. Susceptibility to penicillin, amoxicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, cefaclor, cefuroxime, cefotaxime, clarithromycin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, rifampicin and teicoplanin was determined locally by the Etest and/or by the microdilution method by three co-ordinating centres. Total resistance to penicillin increased from 15.2% to 16.1% and macrolide resistance increased from 37.9% to 43.7%. Overall, the most effective drugs (>99% susceptible strains) were amoxicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, levofloxacin and rifampicin. The most frequent serotypes were: 23F (15.8%), 3 (10.8%) 14 (9.1%), 19F (9.1%), 6B (7.2%), 19A (6.9%) and 6A (4.8%). In conclusion, penicillin and macrolide resistance is increasing in Italy, whilst fluoroquinolone currently remains active. The most common serotypes circulating are included in the heptavalent conjugate vaccine, with the exception of type 3.