Erythromycin Resistance in Streptococcus pyogenes in Italy
Author Information
Author(s): Matteo Bassetti, Graziana Manno, Andrea Collida, Alberto Ferrando, Giorgio Gatti, Elisabetta Ugolotti, Mario Cruciani, Dante Bassetti
Primary Institution: University of Genoa, G. Gaslini Children's Hospital, Genoa, Italy
Hypothesis
What is the prevalence and distribution of macrolide resistance phenotypes among Streptococcus pyogenes?
Conclusion
In Genoa, 38% of Streptococcus pyogenes isolated from pharyngitis patients are erythromycin resistant.
Supporting Evidence
- 69 (38.3%) of 180 isolates of Streptococcus pyogenes were resistant to macrolides.
- S. pyogenes was eradicated in 12 (63.1%) of 19 patients with erythromycin-resistant S. pyogenes treated with clarithromycin.
- 88% of patients with erythromycin-susceptible strains were cured with clarithromycin.
- The constitutive-resistant phenotype was correlated with failure of macrolide treatment.
Takeaway
This study found that a significant number of strep throat infections in children are resistant to a common antibiotic, erythromycin, which makes treating these infections harder.
Methodology
A clinical study was conducted with pediatric patients diagnosed with S. pyogenes pharyngitis, assessing antibiotic resistance and treatment outcomes.
Potential Biases
Potential bias in antibiotic selection by physicians based on clinical signs and symptoms.
Limitations
The study may have bias due to selective antibiotic choice based on clinical presentation.
Participant Demographics
Children ages 1-13 years, median age 7.0.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p = 0.07
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
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