Prevalence of antibiotic resistance and serotypes in pneumococci in England and Wales: results of observational surveys in 1990 and 1995.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the prevalence of antibiotic resistance and serotype distribution among pneumococci in England and Wales in 1990 and 1995.


METHODS
Observational surveys in March 1990 and March 1995. During two weeks in each survey period all pneumococci isolated in public health laboratories in England and Wales were collected and assessed for sensitivity to antibiotics and the distribution of serogroups or serotypes.


METHODS
The network of public health laboratories throughout England and Wales.


METHODS
1127 individual patient isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae obtained during the two surveys.


METHODS
Sensitivity or resistance to a range of antibiotics; serogroup or serotype.


RESULTS
The prevalence of intermediate or full resistance to penicillin increased from 1.5% in 1990 to 3.9% in 1995 and resistance to erythromycin increased from 2.8% to 8.6%. About 92% of isolates belonged to serogroups or serotypes included in the currently available pneumococcal vaccine.


CONCLUSIONS
Resistance to penicillin and erythromycin has increased among pneumococci in England and Wales. Continued surveillance to assess further increases in the prevalence of pneumococcal resistance to antibiotics is essential.
Johnson
A P
AP
Antibiotic Reference Unit, Central Public Health Laboratory, Colindale, London.
Speller
D C
DC
George
R C
RC
Warner
M
M
Domingue
G
G
Efstratiou
A
A
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002439:Cefotaxime / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002443:Ceftriaxone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D004917:Erythromycin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D010403:Penicillin Resistance; D011008:Pneumococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012293:Rifampin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012703:Serotyping; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae; D014640:Vancomycin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014852:Wales / Q000453:epidemiology
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004917:Erythromycin; D014640:Vancomycin; D002443:Ceftriaxone; D002439:Cefotaxime; D012293:Rifampin