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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

Clin Infect Dis

Publication Date

01/02/2002

Volume

34

Pages

330 - 339

Keywords

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