Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

The genetic relatedness of 672 penicillin-resistant isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae (PRSP) recovered during national surveillance studies conducted in the United States during the periods of 1994-1995, 1997-1998, and 1999-2000 was determined by use of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Overall, 104 different PFGE types were elucidated. For all study periods combined, the 12 most prevalent PFGE types included >75% of all isolates, and 5 types were closely related to widespread clones (Spain(23F)-1, France(9V)-3, Spain(6B)-2, Tennessee(23F)-4, and Taiwan(19F)-14). From 1994-1995 to 1999-2000, 3 major PFGE types (not closely related to 16 recognized clones) increased in prevalence. Multidrug resistance was identified among 96%-100% of the isolates in 9 of 12 predominant PFGE types. The prevalence of erythromycin resistance increased within 4 major PFGE types. These observations support the hypothesis that the dominant factor in the emergence of PRSP in the United States during the 1990s has been human-to-human spread of relatively few clonal groups that harbor resistance determinants to multiple classes of antibiotics.

Original publication

DOI

10.1086/338065

Type

Journal article

Journal

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

Publication Date

02/2002

Volume

34

Pages

330 - 339

Addresses

Medical Microbiology Division, Department of Pathology, University of Iowa College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA. sandra-richter@uiowa.edu

Keywords

Humans, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Pneumonia, Pneumococcal, Erythromycin, Anti-Bacterial Agents, Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field, Serotyping, Microbial Sensitivity Tests, Seasons, Penicillin Resistance, Gene Frequency, Adolescent, Adult, Child, United States