Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Common Pathogens from Community-Acquired Lower Respiratory Tract Infections in Estonia

Authors: Altraja, A.; Naaber, P.; Tamm, E.; Meriste, S.; Kullamaa, A.; Leesik, H.

Source: Journal of Chemotherapy, Number 6, December 2006 , pp. 603-609(7)

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Abstract:

Antimicrobial resistance among clinical isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae (n = 49)Haemophilus influenzae (n = 66) and Moraxella catarrhalis (n = 25) from adults with community-acquired lower respiratory tract infections (CALRTI) was assessed in a national surveillance study in Southern Estonia during 2000-2003. In S. pneumoniae, no penicillin resistance and only 2.0% resistance to clarithromycin was present, although intermediate resistance to trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) reached 24.5%. β-lactamase production rate was 96.0% in M. catarrhalis, but only 3.0% in H. influenzae. Both Gram-negative strains lacked resistance to ciprofloxacin. Clarithromycin resistance was 12% in M. catarrhalis but lacking among H. influenzae (except for 18.2% intermediate resistance). Resistance to TMP-SMX was 12.0% and 24.2% in M. catarrhalis and H. influenzae, respectively. In summary, a favorable resistance pattern of the main CALRTI pathogens is preserved in Estonia to core antibacterials. Nevertheless, use of TMP-SMX in CALRTI is discouraged and clinical response should be carefully monitored, when clarithromycin is chosen against M. catarrhalis or H. influenzae.

Keywords: resistance; community acquired respiratory tract infection; pathogens; Antimicrobial susceptibility; Streptococcus pneumoniae; Haemophilus influenzae; Moraxella catarrhalis

Document Type: Research Article

Publication date: 2006-12-01

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