title: Serotype competence and penicillin resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae.
abstract: From 2003 to 2005, we prospectively collected 118 isolates of pneumococci belonging to 7 serotypes to investigate their competence under the influence of the synthetic competence-stimulating peptides. The degree of competence of the various serotypes differed significantly. Serotype 6B had the highest competence, followed by serotypes 14, 19F, 9V, 23F, 3, and 18C. Isolates belonging to serotype 6B had greater genetic diversity than isolates belonging to serotype 3, which has high genetic clustering. Isolates belonging to serotypes 3 and 18C that were 100% sensitive to penicillin were significantly less competent than isolates belonging to serotypes 6B, 14, 19F, 9V, and 23F, which were frequently resistant to penicillin. Under the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine program, enhanced molecular surveillance of virulent clones with higher competence to detect serotype switching will become more important.
authors.affiliation: Taipei Municipal WanFang Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yu-Chia
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Hsieh
authors.forename: Jin-Town
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Wen-Sen
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Po-Ren
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Hsueh
authors.forename: Pei-Lan
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Shao
authors.forename: Luan-Yin
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Chun-Yi
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Chin-Yun
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Fu-Yuan
authors.initials: FY
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Li-Min
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D016521:Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field; D018740:Genetic Heterogeneity; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010403:Penicillin Resistance; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012703:Serotyping; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000145:classification* / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics