Antimicrobial resistance and serotyping of Streptococcus pneumoniae isolated from pediatric patients in Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil

Abstract

31 Streptococcus pneumoniae invasive strains were isolated from a paediatric population in Belo Horizonte, Mato Grosso, Brazil between June 1999 and May 2001. Penicillin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, tetracycline and chloramphenicol resistance rates for the isolates were 41.9, 58.1, 25.8 and 3.2%, respectively. Intermediate penicillin resistant (MICs between 0.1 and 1.0 micro g/ml) and resistant (MICs>2.0 micro g/ml) isolates occurred at rates of 38.7 and 3.2%, respectively. Resistance to erythromycin, ofloxacin, rifampin or vancomicyn was not detected. 10 S. pneumoniae serotypes (14, 5, 10A, 6B, 15B, 18C, 6A, 18A, 19A and 19F) were identified. Serotype 14 (12 out of 31) was predominant among the isolates. Penicillin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole resistance was more common in 14 and 6B serotypes.