Antimicrobial resistance in streptococcus pneumoniae; [Streptococcus pneumoniae da antimikrobiyal direnc]
Abstract
The increasing rates of penicillin resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae strains have been reported from various countries of the world, recently, and this process is due to the chromosomal changes of the genes coding penicillin binding proteins. The rates of resistance to penicillin are found 13-56% in different regions of our country. In order to investigate the penicillin susceptibility, oxacillin disc diffusion test is recommended by NCCLS. The difference between intermediate resistance and resistance of the strains should be evaluated by dilution tests or E-test. The most effective antibiotics to penicillin resistant pneumococci are cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, imipenem and vancomycin. As minimizing of penicillin resistance in pneumococci is very important, the prevalence of resistance rates should be determined by surveillance programs in each center, clinicians must be informed about the susceptibility results, and the rational use of antibiotics must be emphasized. Vaccination of the risk groups is also one of the most effective preventive methods.