Appropriate use of antimicrobials for drug-resistant pneumonia: focus on the significance of beta-lactam-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Appropriate use of antimicrobials for drug-resistant pneumonia: focus on the significance of beta-lactam-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae.

File Thomas M Jr

Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America

2002

2002-03

The beta-lactam antibiotics (penicillins and cephalosporins) are commonly prescribed for the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia. However, Streptococcus pneumoniae, the most common etiologic agent of community-acquired pneumonia, has become increasingly resistant to beta-lactams over the past decade. The results of several studies suggest that penicillins remain effective for streptococcal pneumonia when the infecting pathogen has a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) /=4 microgram/mL, increased rates of mortality (for patients who survive their first 4 days of hospitalization) may occur. Currently, 3.5%-7.8% of S. pneumoniae clinical isolates have MICs that fall in this latter class, but these rates may rise in the future. The clinical relevance of in vitro resistance may be related to at least 3 factors: concordance of antimicrobial therapy, severity of illness, and virulence.

*beta-Lactam Resistance; beta-Lactams/economics/*therapeutic use; Contraindications; Humans; Pneumococcal/*drug therapy/economics/pathology; Pneumonia; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Streptococcus pneumoniae/*drug effects/metabolism

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S17–26

34 Suppl 1