Antimicrobial resistance trends among sinus isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae in the United States (2001-2005).
OBJECTIVE
To test the susceptibility of Streptococcus pneumoniae sinus isolates collected across the United States against commonly used antimicrobial agents.


METHODS
S. pneumoniae sinus isolates (N = 847) collected as part of the Tracking Resistance in the US Today Surveillance Program from 2001 to 2005 were tested against 8 antimicrobial agents.


RESULTS
In ascending order, the relative activities (% susceptible) were penicillin (51.8%), trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) (57.6%), erythromycin (59.5%), cefuroxime (62.0%), amoxicillin/clavulanate (85.5%), clindamycin (86.1%), levofloxacin (99.4%), and linezolid (100%; for 2004 and 2005 respiratory seasons, only). Resistance rates over the 5 years remained generally stable, although resistance to amoxicillin/clavulanate nearly doubled (from 6.5% to 12.9%). Forty percent of isolates were resistant to >or=2 agents tested.


CONCLUSIONS
Susceptibility trends among sinus S. pneumoniae isolates appear to have stabilized over the past 5 years. Resistance rates remain elevated for penicillin and macrolides, whereas the high prevalence of multidrug resistance remains a concern.
Sahm
Daniel F
DF
Eurofins Medinet Anti-Infective Services, Inc, Herndon, VA 20171-4603, USA. dsahm@focusbioinova.com <dsahm@focusbioinova.com>
Benninger
Michael S
MS
Evangelista
Alan T
AT
Yee
Y Cheung
YC
Thornsberry
Clyde
C
Brown
Nina P
NP
D000081:Acetamides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019980:Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002444:Cefuroxime / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018550:Cephalosporin Resistance; D002981:Clindamycin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D024901:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; D004917:Erythromycin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D064704:Levofloxacin; D000069349:Linezolid; D015242:Ofloxacin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D023303:Oxazolidinones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010256:Paranasal Sinuses / Q000382:microbiology*; D010403:Penicillin Resistance; D011159:Population Surveillance; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000187:drug effects*; D014296:Trimethoprim Resistance; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014481:United States; D018440:beta-Lactam Resistance
D000081:Acetamides; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D023303:Oxazolidinones; D002981:Clindamycin; D004917:Erythromycin; D064704:Levofloxacin; D019980:Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination; D015242:Ofloxacin; D000069349:Linezolid; D002444:Cefuroxime