Emergence of Neoteric Serotypes Among Multidrug Resistant Strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae Prevalent in Egypt.
BACKGROUND
Streptococcus pneumoniae is still one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The prevalent serotype distribution had shown variation along different studies conducted at different time intervals. In order to efficiently assess the epidemiology of the diseases for effective preventive and treatment strategies, serotype prevalence need to be periodically reassessed.


OBJECTIVE
Conducting a reassessment of the prevalent S. pneumoniae serotypes in Egypt as an essential step in the search for a regional vaccine. In addition, monitoring the antibiotic susceptibility patterns of pneumococcal strains currently causing infections as an evaluation of therapeutic strategies applied.


METHODS
A total of 100 specimens of different sources were collected in Cairo, Egypt, from 2011 to 2013, representing almost all different types of diseases caused by S. pneumoniae such as meningitis, pneumonia, otitis media and sinusitis. Conventional and molecular identification methods were performed, the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns were assessed and serotyping was done using PCR assays to identify the most prevalent types. In addition, detection of certain virulence genes for the most prevalent serotypes was carried out.


RESULTS
Our results revealed that in Egypt, currently, the most prevalent serotypes were serogroup 6 and serotype 19F as they represented 58% of all isolates. High rates of resistance were found to different antibiotic classes. The lytA and psaA genes were found to be more sensitive for S. pneumoniae identification than ply.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study illustrates the importance of constantly monitoring the prevalent serotypes in any region in order to aid in the development of more effective vaccines.
Department of Microbiology, National Organization for Drug Control and Research, Giza, Egypt.
Rehab H
RH
Bahy
Department of Microbiology, National Organization for Drug Control and Research, Giza, Egypt.
Hayam M
HM
Hamouda
Department of Biochemistry, National Organization for Drug Control and Research (NODCAR), Giza, Egypt.
Amal S
AS
Shahat
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
Aymen S
AS
Yassin
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
Magdy A
MA
Amin
Antibiotic Resistance; Bacterial Vaccines; Serotyping; Streptococcus pneumoniae; Virulence