Laboratory survey of antibiotic nonsusceptibility among Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates in South Carolina, 1998 versus 2000.
BACKGROUND
In 1998, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control surveyed clinical microbiology laboratories statewide to determine the prevalence of antibiotic nonsusceptibility among isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae. A follow-up study was conducted in 2001.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of penicillin nonsusceptibility (PCN-N), extended-spectrum cephalosporin nonsusceptibility (ESC-N), and levofloxacin nonsusceptibility (LEV-N) in South Carolina. A standardized questionnaire was mailed to 89 laboratories.


RESULTS
The prevalence of penicillin intermediate resistance increased from 1998 (17.6%) to 2000 (20.9%, chi2 P = 0.008). Furthermore, the prevalence of PCN-N increased from 1998 (34.5%) to 2000 (38.4%, chi2 P = 0.01). The prevalence of ECN-N decreased from 1998 (19.1%) to 2000 (17.7%), but the difference was not significant (chi2 P = 0.25).


CONCLUSIONS
The laboratory survey was a low-cost method of estimating the change in prevalence of antibiotic nonsusceptibility, and it emphasizes regional surveillance because the prevalence of antibiotic nonsusceptibility varied geographically.
Bureau of Disease Control, Department of Health and Environmental Control, Columbia, SC 29201, USA. dauner@cop.sc.edu
Daniel G
DG
Dauner
James J
JJ
Gibson
Dixie F
DF
Roberts
George S
GS
Kotchmar
D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007753:Laboratories; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008829:Microbiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012424:Rural Population; D013022:South Carolina; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013997:Time Factors; D014505:Urban Population