Antimicrobial resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis and group A beta-haemolytic streptococci in 2002-2003. Results of the multinational GRASP Surveillance Program

Int J Antimicrob Agents. 2005 Feb;25(2):148-56. doi: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2004.09.016.

Abstract

A multinational surveillance study, GRASP, was conducted between November 2002 and April 2003 with the aim of assessing rates of antimicrobial resistance among 2656 isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae, 2486 isolates of group A beta-haemolytic streptococci, 1358 isolates of Haemophilus influenzae and 1047 of Moraxella catarrhalis from 20 countries in Europe, eastern Asia and southern Africa. Conspicuous differences between various countries were noted in the S. pneumoniae resistance rates observed for penicillin (0-79.2%) and erythromycin (4-66%), along with other antimicrobials. The percentage of MDR strains was above 25% in 8 of the 20 countries studied. Group A streptococcal macrolide resistance rates ranged from 0% to 35% by country, while rates of beta-lactamase production ranged from 0% to 39% for H. influenzae and 80-100% for M. catarrhalis. Antibiotic resistance in S. pneumoniae remains a significant problem world wide.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Bacteria / drug effects*
  • Community-Acquired Infections / epidemiology
  • Community-Acquired Infections / microbiology
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial
  • Haemophilus influenzae / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Internationality
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Middle Aged
  • Moraxella catarrhalis / drug effects*
  • Population Surveillance
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / epidemiology*
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / microbiology
  • Streptococcus / drug effects*
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae / drug effects
  • Streptococcus pyogenes / drug effects

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents